Prerogative
exclusive right / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A prerogative is an exclusive power or privilege possessed by an official of a government or state as a part of his or her office.[1] Under English law it is right of a sovereign, which in theory, has no restrictions.[2] For example, the British monarch holds Royal prerogatives which have never been fully listed.[3] In practice, they are usually used by ministers on behalf of the monarch.[3] In the United States, the Constitution is written in such a way to allow executive prerogatives.[4] Presidents use these powers to manage crises or to resolve disputes.[4] Although nothing in the Constitution specifically gave him the power to do it, George Washington used executive prerogative to declare neutrality in the 1790s dispute between Great Britain and France.[4] Thomas Jefferson used it to make the Louisiana Purchase.[4] Abraham Lincoln used it many times during the American Civil War.[4]