exceptional state
[ɪk'sɛpʃənəl steɪt]
nounpl: exceptional states
estado de exceção
1. A temporary suspension of normal constitutional rules and procedures by a government, typically during emergencies such as war, natural disaster, or civil unrest
The government declared an exceptional state to manage the pandemic crisis.
O governo declarou um estado de exceção para gerenciar a crise da pandemia.
2. A legal framework allowing authorities to bypass standard legal procedures and exercise emergency powers
During the exceptional state, the military was authorized to conduct operations without civilian oversight.
Durante o estado de exceção, os militares foram autorizados a conduzir operações sem supervisão civil.
The concept of 'exceptional state' (estado de exceção) is particularly significant in Brazilian political history due to the military dictatorship (1964-1985) and subsequent constitutional debates about emergency powers. The 1988 Brazilian Constitution established strict procedures for declaring states of exception, reflecting democratic concerns about government overreach. This term is central to discussions about balancing security with civil liberties in Latin American democracies.
Related Idioms & Phrases
declare an exceptional state
lift an exceptional state
under an exceptional state
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