Dwight,

I did some digging on this, and I believe that you are absolutely
correct - a mandate is an authorization or an approval.

In fact, the word "mandate" can be used to mean either a mandatory
requirement or an authorization. The dictionary defines "mandate" as:

http://www.yourdictionary.com/ahd/m/m0073800.html
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=mandate

1. An authoritative command or instruction.

2. A command or an authorization given by a political electorate to
its representative.

http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary

1. an authoritative command; especially : a formal order from a
superior court or official to an inferior one

2 : an authorization to act given to a representative accepted the
mandate of the people

Meaning #2, "authorization", would fit the wording and intent of the
regs quite well.

Cross referencing to the Thesaurus, we find the following synonyms
listed for the word "mandate":

http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=mandate

Entry: mandate
Function: noun
Definition: authority
Synonyms: authorization, behest, bidding, blank check, carte
blanche, charge, command, commission, decree, dictate, directive,
edict, fiat, go-ahead, green light, imperative, injunction,
instruction, order, precept, sanction, warrant, word
Concept: authorization
Source: Roget's Interactive Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.0)
Copyright © 2004 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Entry: approval
Function: noun
Definition: authorization
Synonyms: acquiescence, assent, bells, blessing, compliance,
concurrence, confirmation, consent, countenance, endorsement, finest
kind, go-ahead, green light, leave, license, mandate, ok, OK,
permission, ratification, recommendation, sanction, support, the nod,
validation
Antonyms: denial, disapproval, refusal, rejection
Concept: authorization

Note that both dictionary definitions are represented in the list, but
that the root concept of the word is "authorization". "Mandate is
also listed as a synonym for the word "approval"

The word "mandated" , however, is much clearer - it means "to makes
something mandatory", period.. Mandate, however, is not necessarily an
imperative. These similarity between these two words (and their
interchangeable usage in common speech) may be the source of the
confusion here.

Based on these references, the reference to authorization in the regs
could well be interpreted as a mandate, using the dictionary
definition #2 from both sources, and confirmed by the thesaurus.

73, Leo


On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 09:27:36 GMT, "Dwight Stewart"
wrote:

"Leo" wrote:

The belief that a mandate for amateur
radio to participate in public service
communications is quite common -
just did a quick search on Google,
and II have attached an ARRL
reference as well as one amateur
radio club, who both clearly call it a
"mandate".


No, the real problem is that some simply don't understand the full meaning
of the word "mandate." They feel there is some kind of requirement behind
it. So, of course, they get confused when it is used in a non-required
context. However, there is no requirements associated associated with the
other senses of the word. For example, the president can be given a mandate
by the voters to lower taxes, but there is no requirement to do so. Amateur
Radio operators have a mandate to perform public service (it's in the basis
and purpose of this radio service), but there is no requirement to do so.


Dwight Stewart (W5NET)

http://www.qsl.net/w5net/