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I don’t think most people would consider adding a personal finance course to a public school curriculum a mandate.

Those young adults will still have every right to be financially irresponsible.

The part that makes it a mandate is the law that requires it.

I thought the part that made it a "mandate" was that it was outside the legislative branch of government.

Perhaps you are thinking of the phrase "unfunded mandate" which basically when the legislation tells the administration to do something, but fails to allocate funds to do it. Still a law though.

And colloquially, "mandate" often means 'the authority to enact a policy, due to an election.'

If it were a law, we'd usually just call it a law. "Mandate" is recent code for "the police will still arrest you for not doing it, but you can't find it written down anywhere."

So, I'm not seeing that on in the dictionary. You sure this isn't just a you thing?

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