Colgate Doctrine

The Colgate Doctrine is a legal principle from a U.S. Supreme Court case that emphasizes executive discretion in foreign policy. It states that the President has exclusive authority to recognize or not recognize a foreign government or regime, and this recognition is a political decision, not something courts should interfere with. Essentially, it affirms that the executive branch manages and decides on diplomatic relations, and courts should not question those decisions. This doctrine helps maintain the separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in foreign affairs.