The etymology of ultimatum leads us to ultimātum, a late Latin word that in turn derives from ultimāre (translatable as “come to an end”). The concept is used in the field of diplomacy to refer to the written statement that conveys a clear and conclusive resolution.
In addition to the diplomatic structure, an ultimatum is a final opinion. It is a phrase that does not admit a negative response to what it commands or instructs. By means of an ultimatum, a term is established for the fulfillment of certain obligations. If the other party does not comply with the established requirements, they must comply with the consequences announced by the ultimatum.
Generally, the ultimatum works as the last demand after several requests. The term granted is limited and the doors are closed for future negotiations. Whoever receives the ultimatum can only fulfill it if he wants to avoid the effects of the warning. A government, to cite one case, can give an ultimatum to another country before a declaration of war, forcing it to carry out (or stop carrying out) certain tasks to avoid a military offensive. The ultimatum may order a weapons program to be stopped: otherwise a military attack will be launched. The employee can give the boss an ultimatum, warning him that if he does not receive his salary within the next twenty-four hours, he will file a lawsuit. A kidnapper, in turn, threatens the relatives of his hostage that he will kill the prisoner unless they pay a certain amount, which works as an ultimatum.
