Modus vivendi

{{short description|Arrangement that allows conflicting parties to coexist in peace}}

{{other uses|Modus Vivendi (disambiguation)}}

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Modus vivendi}}

File:Kladderadatsch_1878_-_Modus_vivendi.png

Modus vivendi (plural modi vivendi) is a Latin phrase that means "mode of living" or "way of life". In international relations, it often is used to mean an arrangement or agreement that allows conflicting parties to coexist in peace. In science, it is used to describe lifestyles.{{cite book|author=Angus Stevenson|title=Oxford Dictionary of English|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=anecAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA1139|date=19 August 2010|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=978-0-19-957112-3|pages=1139–}}

Modus means "mode", "way", "method", or "manner". Vivendi means "of living". The phrase is often used to describe informal and temporary arrangements in political affairs. For example, if two sides reach a modus vivendi regarding disputed territories, despite political, historical or cultural incompatibilities, an accommodation of their respective differences is established for the sake of contingency.

In diplomacy, a modus vivendi is an instrument for establishing an international accord of a temporary or provisional nature, intended to be replaced by a more substantial and thorough agreement, such as a treaty.{{cite web | url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/Overview.aspx?path=overview/definition/page1_en.xml#modus | title=United Nations Treaty Collection: Definitions | access-date=19 May 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520185430/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/Overview.aspx?path=overview%2Fdefinition%2Fpage1_en.xml#modus | archive-date=20 May 2015 }} Armistices and instruments of surrender are intended to achieve a modus vivendi.