''Modus vivendi'' (plural ''modi vivendi'') is a
Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
phrase that means "mode of living" or "
way of life". In
international relations
International relations (IR, and also referred to as international studies, international politics, or international affairs) is an academic discipline. In a broader sense, the study of IR, in addition to multilateral relations, concerns al ...
, 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
Lifestyle is the interests, opinions, behaviours, and behavioural orientations of an individual, group, or culture. The term " style of life" () was introduced by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler in his 1929 book, ''The Case of Miss R.'', ...
.
''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
Diplomacy is the communication by representatives of State (polity), state, International organization, intergovernmental, or Non-governmental organization, non-governmental institutions intended to influence events in the international syste ...
, 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
A treaty is a formal, legally binding written agreement between sovereign states and/or international organizations that is governed by international law. A treaty may also be known as an international agreement, protocol, covenant, convention ...
.
Armistice
An armistice is a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, as it may constitute only a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace. It is derived from t ...
s and instruments of
surrender are intended to achieve a ''modus vivendi''.
Examples
The term often refers to
Anglo-French relations from the 1815 end of the
Napoleonic Wars
{{Infobox military conflict
, conflict = Napoleonic Wars
, partof = the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
, image = Napoleonic Wars (revision).jpg
, caption = Left to right, top to bottom:Battl ...
to the 1904
Entente Cordiale
The Entente Cordiale (; ) comprised a series of agreements signed on 8 April 1904 between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, United Kingdom and the French Third Republic, French Republic which saw a significant improvement in Fr ...
.
On 7 January 1948, the United States, Britain and Canada, concluded an agreement known as the ''modus vivendi'', that allowed for limited sharing of technical information on nuclear weapons which officially repealed the
Quebec Agreement
The Quebec Agreement was a secret agreement between the United Kingdom and the United States outlining the terms for the coordinated development of the science and engineering related to nuclear power, nuclear energy and specifically nuclear we ...
.
See also
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References
External links
{{Wiktionary
Definition of key terms used in the UN Treaty Collection
Behavior
Latin political words and phrases