Editing Modus vivendi (section)

{{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 | thumb | right | alt=A comic drawing depicting a man sitting upon a throne with a solder reporting, as a man watches from the curtains.  | A "Modus vivendi" from the Kladderadatsch, 1878, to Leo XIII and Bismarck.]]
'''''Modus vivendi''''' (plural '''''modi vivendi''''') is a [[Latin]] phrase that means "mode of living" or "[[lifestyle (sociology)|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 [[Habit (biology)#Behavior|lifestyles]].<ref name="Stevenson2010">{{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–}}</ref>

''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 (philosophy)|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]].<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[Armistice]]s and instruments of [[surrender (military)|surrender]] are intended to achieve a ''modus vivendi''.