The newspapers, especially in connection with the recent political developments, we often encountered the term "ultimatum."This word became even fashionable.Political opponents famously put up with each other demands, and this strange effect on improving their rankings.Where does fashion for such an attitude to opponents, and what is the exact meaning of the word "ultimatum"?Let's try to dot the "i" in this short essay.
Translation
If we open a Latin dictionary, we find that an ultimatum - it is something brought to the end point, the extreme limit.In political terms it came to refer to the demand expressed by uncompromising and very sternly worded and strictly.As a rule, it exhibits an ultimatum to the designation of some tight deadlines.Generally, the term during which requirements must be met, are not discussed and are not negotiable, and are dictated.For example: "If you do not give up to a certain hour of this day, all will be destroyed."Based on this context, it is easy to assume that ultimatums are placed primarily in situations of war or other rigid confrontation between the parties.
Application
Oddly enough, but the term is not so much taken from the army, but because of the diplomatic language.Ultimatum - a gesture meaning that the party begins to talk of negotiations from a position of strength and longer any concessions will not go.Sometimes, such a requirement can not be set directly, but indirectly.For example, British diplomacy using a term such as "unfriendly act."This means that failure to meet any requirement will entail a very negative reaction, including military action.As mentioned above, ultimatums are often used as a justification for the use of weapons.It often happens that people in the privacy of each other put uncompromising demands.But this way of behavior is bad for relationships and, ultimately, can lead to a rupture.
International law
One of the 1907 Hague Convention says that any declaration of war is impossible without a clear and explicit warning of the enemy and explanation.Thus, an ultimatum - it is also a necessary condition for the formal use of force.However, this requirement may become the subject of international arbitration in order to find out how it's legal.On the other hand, the UN Charter prohibits the threat as a force and its application.However, when it comes to self-defense, or in any other situation, the laws of war, then the warning in a harsh manner is also not illegal.
Historical examples of ultimatums
Many state and government exposed their opponents uncompromising demands.Quite often, in the language of diplomacy, an ultimatum - this note is to draw more tightly than usual.One of the first requirements of this kind are called statements of Tacitus.In the history of the twentieth century, the most famous in this document are the demands of the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs, handed to the Soviet government.As formulated by the then head of department, and the document was called by his name.He became popular under the name "Curzon ultimatum".This categorical requirements of Soviet Russia to stop religious persecution, apologize to the British Empire, to withdraw its representatives from the English "zones of influence" and so on.In case of default, Lord Curzon had threatened to break a trade agreement with the young state.However, since the memorandum was not the military, and diplomatic ultimatum, despite the uproar raised by the Soviet side, both parties of the conflict went to each other concessions.It is also interesting that in the recent history of Ukraine an ultimatum, exhibited at the Independence "centurion" Parasyuk, threatened in case of refusal of the then President of the country to retire, to go to the assault with a weapon, is one of the reasons Yanukovych escape from the country.
And in his personal life?
is customary to say that the relations between people such demands are unacceptable.What put ultimatums only people hungry for power, not love and harmony.What they are engaged or blackmail, either in a state of frustration, trying to solve all accumulated immediately and in one fell swoop.But psychologists say that there are cases where it is still necessary to put an ultimatum to the family.Meaning of the word - to "bring something to the end" - is not always negative.If you have something really important - so much that you can not sacrifice it for the sake of preserving peace in the house, then put their demands.Domestic violence, drugs or alcoholism - are just a few examples of the ultimatum is acceptable.Otherwise, your life can become too unbearable.