is a
Latin phrase meaning the existing
state of affairs, particularly with regard to social, political, religious or military issues. In the
sociological sense, the ''status quo'' refers to the current state of social structure and/or values.
With regard to policy debate, it means how conditions are, contrasted with a possible change. For example: "The countries are now trying to maintain the ''status quo'' with regard to their nuclear arsenals." To maintain the ''status quo'' is to keep things the way they presently are.
The related phrase ''
status quo ante'', literally "the status before", refers to the state of affairs that existed previously.
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. The status quo is at least in part rejected by their protagonists – progressives – leading the movement.
Advocating to improve the status quo is a persuasive
rhetorical device
In rhetoric, a rhetorical device, persuasive device, or stylistic device is a technique that an author or speaker uses to convey to the listener or reader a meaning with the goal of persuading them towards considering a topic from a perspective, ...
. 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
Clark Kerr (May 17, 1911 – December 1, 2003) was an American professor of economics and academic administrator. He was the first chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, and twelfth president of the University of California.
Bi ...
reportedly said: "The status quo is the only
solution
Solution may refer to:
* Solution (chemistry), a mixture where one substance is dissolved in another
* Solution (equation), in mathematics
** Numerical solution, in numerical analysis, approximate solutions within specified error bounds
* Soluti ...
that cannot be
vetoed".
viewed organized religion as a means for the
bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie ( , ) is a social class, equivalent to the middle or upper middle class. They are distinguished from, and traditionally contrasted with, the proletariat by their affluence, and their great cultural and financial capital. They ...
to keep the
proletariat
The proletariat (; ) is the social class of wage-earners, those members of a society whose only possession of significant economic value is their labour power (their capacity to work). A member of such a class is a proletarian. Marxist philo ...
content with an unequal status quo.
[Boundless. "Religion and Social Control." Boundless Sociology. Boundless, 27 Jun. 2014. Retrieved 08 Feb. 201]
/ref>
See also
* Status quo bias
Status quo bias is an emotional bias; a preference for the maintenance of one's current or previous state of affairs, or a preference to not undertake any action to change this current or previous state. The current baseline (or status quo) is take ...
* Status quo ante bellum
The term ''status quo ante bellum'' is a Latin phrase meaning "the situation as it existed before the war".
The term was originally used in treaties to refer to the withdrawal of enemy troops and the restoration of prewar leadership. When used ...
* List of Latin phrases
* Status Quo (Jerusalem and Bethlehem)
The Status Quo ( he, סטטוס קוו, ar, الوضع الراهن) is an understanding among religious communities with respect to nine shared religious sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Other Holy Places in Israel and Palestine were not deemed ...
References
{{Reflist
Latin words and phrases
Change
Cognitive inertia