An executive agreement is a legally binding agreement between two countries that is made by the executive branch of the government. This type of agreement does not require the approval of the legislature, unlike a treaty. However, when it comes to the opposite of an executive agreement, the antonym that is often used is “legislative treaty.”
A legislative treaty is a type of agreement that requires the approval of the legislature or the ratification of the treaty by lawmakers. In contrast to an executive agreement, a legislative treaty is a binding agreement between two or more countries that has been approved by the legislative branches of the governments involved. This means that the agreement has gone through a more formal and extensive process before it was finally ratified.
The main difference between executive agreements and legislative treaties is the level of involvement of the legislative branch in the approval process. In an executive agreement, the decision to enter into the agreement is made by the executive branch without any input from the legislative branch. On the other hand, in a legislative treaty, the decision to enter into the agreement is made by the executive branch, but it must also be approved by the legislative branch before it becomes binding.
The use of executive agreements or legislative treaties depends on the type of agreement and the level of involvement of the government in the process. In some cases, an executive agreement may be appropriate when the agreement is related to a matter of foreign policy that does not require the approval of the legislature. However, if the agreement involves a matter of domestic policy or imposes legal obligations on the country, a legislative treaty may be necessary.
In conclusion, the antonym of an executive agreement is a legislative treaty. While both types of agreements are legally binding, they differ in the level of involvement of the legislative branch in the approval process. The use of either type of agreement depends on the context and the level of involvement of the government in the agreement-making process.
