From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Controversy is a highly contentious ongoing dispute. For it to be considered a controversy, one must be either specifically involved in the argument itself, or be a member of a society which acknowledges the argument. One does not have to be directly affected by the argument, only to appreciate that it exists. Controversies are not limited by size. They can range from a private disputes between two individuals to the largest social upheavals.
In Jurisprudence a controversy is a dispute which involves civil law, as opposed to criminal law. Article Three of the United States Constitution states that the the Supreme Court of the United States is the highest arbiter of controversies arising under federal law and the constitution. However, these specific cases necessitate the presence of a controversy. This controversy requirement means that federal courts are only allowed to hear cases where there is appropriate standing, or where the plaintiff and defendant actually have a controversy between them.
The most controversial controversies are, of course, too controversial to mention here.
See also:
- Wikipedia:List of controversial issues
- Wikipedia:NPOV dispute
- Wikipedia:Accuracy dispute
- Wikipedia:Current disputes over articles
