theoretical control
[/θɪəˈrɛtɪkəl kənˈtroʊl/]
nounpl: theoretical controls
controle teórico
1. A control or restraint that exists in principle or according to theory but may not be effectively enforced or applied in practice
The government maintained theoretical control over the region, but armed groups operated with impunity.
O governo mantinha controle teórico sobre a região, mas grupos armados operavam impunemente.
2. In scientific research, a control group or condition used in experiments to establish a baseline for comparison with theoretical predictions
The researchers established a theoretical control to validate their hypothesis about the drug's effectiveness.
Os pesquisadores estabeleceram um controle teórico para validar sua hipótese sobre a eficácia do medicamento.
3. Authority or power that exists according to law, regulation, or agreement but lacks practical enforcement mechanisms
While the parent company had theoretical control over subsidiary operations, actual decisions were made locally.
Embora a empresa-mãe tivesse controle teórico sobre as operações subsidiárias, as decisões reais eram tomadas localmente.
In Brazilian Portuguese, this term is frequently used in academic discourse, legal discussions, and political commentary to describe situations where authority or power is established by law or agreement but lacks effective implementation. It reflects broader discussions about governance gaps between formal institutional structures and practical reality in both Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking contexts.
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