Status quo is aLatin phrase meaning the existingstate of affairs, particularly with regard to social, economic, legal, environmental, political, religious, scientific or military issues.[1] In thesociological sense, thestatus quo refers to the current state of social structure or values.[2] With regard to policy debate, it means how conditions are contrasted with a possible change. For example: "The countries are now trying to maintain thestatus quo with regard to their nuclear arsenals." To maintain thestatus quo is to keep things the way they presently are.
The related phrasestatus quo ante, literally 'the status before', refers to the state of affairs that existed previously.[3]
The status quo may be changed viasocial movements. These seek to alleviate or prevent a particular issue and often to shape social feeling and cultural expression of a society or nation.[4]
Advocating to improve the status quo is a persuasiverhetorical device. This is sometimes critiqued as a policy of deliberate ambiguity as not formalizing or defining the adverse situation.[citation needed]
EconomistClark Kerr reportedly said: "The status quo is the only solution that cannot bevetoed."[5]
