WorldJuly 9, 2026
prerogative
/prɪˈrɒɡətɪv/
Definition
An exclusive right, power, or privilege held by a person or body, specifically referring here to the constitutional authority belonging to Congress to declare war.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'praerogativus,' meaning 'asked first,' which referred to the group in the Roman assembly asked to vote first. It entered Middle English through Old French, eventually evolving to describe a special right or entitlement held by someone in power.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe the constitutional powers of Congress regarding war-making that have been eroded by presidential overreach. It highlights that the 1973 War Powers Resolution was intended to help Congress reclaim these specific authorities.
One Man’s War
Read the full article ↗Foreign Affairs