Status quo

Status quo or Statu quo is a Latin phrase meaning the existing state of affairs, particularly with regard to social or political issues.[1] In the sociological sense, it generally applies to maintaining or changing existing social structure and/or values.[2] With regard to policy debate, it means how conditions are, inviting a good or bad analysis of them, for example "The countries are now trying to maintain a status quo with regards to their nuclear arsenal which will help them if the situation gets any worse."[3]

"Status Quo" redirects here. For the band, see Status Quo (band). For other uses, see Status Quo (disambiguation).

Status quo is the nominative form of the ablative in the Latin phrase "in statu quo" – literally "in the state in which", a shortening of the phrase in statu quo res erant ante bellum, meaning "as things stood before the war". To maintain the status quo is to keep things the way they presently are. The related phrase status quo ante, literally "the state in which before",[4] emphasises "the state of affairs that existed" (previously).[4]

Political usage

Via social movements the status quo might be overhauled. These seek to alleviate or prevent a particular issue and often to shape social feeling and cultural expression of a society or nation.[5] The status quo is at least in part rejected by their protagonists – progressives – leading the movement.[6] Those defending range from debaters, compromisers, election and referendum givers to dogmatism and totalitarians (termed, where a social or legal change is made by the progressives, the reactionary side or reactionaries).[6]

Advocating to improve the status quo is a persuasive rhetorical device. This is sometimes critiqued as a policy of deliberate ambiguity as not formalizing or defining the adverse situation.

In democratic meetings, a casting vote will often be subject to a custom that is cast per the status quo, the heart of Speaker Denison's rule. Clark Kerr reportedly said: "The status quo is the only solution that cannot be vetoed".[7]

Karl Marx viewed organized religion as a means for the bourgeoisie to keep the proletariat content with an unequal status quo.[8]

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See also

References
  1. "Status Quo" - Google Definitions
  2. Dr. C. Michael Botterweck. "Glossary for Sociology 100". academics.triton.edu. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  3. Status quo.TheIdioms.com - Online Idioms Dictionary
  4. "Status Quo Definition". dictionary.reference.com. Dictionary.com. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  5. Clark, Pamela (2000). "The Social Climate". The Optimal Environment: Part Four. www.featherpicking.com. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  6. "Status Quo - Dictionary Definition". vocabulary.com. vocabulary.com. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  7. Seymour, Daniel (2015-12-07). Momentum: The Responsibility Paradigm and Virtuous Cycles of Change in Colleges and Universities. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781475821048.
  8. Boundless. "Religion and Social Control." Boundless Sociology. Boundless, 27 Jun. 2014. Retrieved 08 Feb. 2015
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