The Importance Of The Status Quo

Status quo is a latin phrase that means the existing state of affairs, especially regarding social or political issues. To some, the status quo is a good thing or even good enough. While to others, improvements or changes can always be made. There are times, however, that the status quo must be challenged because of the injustice it is causing. Challenging the status quo can be difficult to do as it means going against the way things are currently being done. The status quo won’t change on its own, so a social movement or “political revolution" is often required. Not every movement or revolution claims victory, but their message can resonate with people for decades to follow. Sometimes when the social and political climate is just right, a

Sanders is not the only one who has challenged the status quo, but he is the most recent to do so. Portugal and Venezuela have seen great victories by going against traditional thinking. 
 Nearly the entire world has been waging an unsuccessful war on drugs for the majority of the last century. The war on drugs has many victims, from those who are dead due to gang related violence, those who have been killed by law enforcement for being on the wrong side, and those who are locked up for possession. The war on drugs desperately needs to move away from the costly and failed actions being taken under status quo policies. Thankfully, there are some countries who have already made this move and there is much we can learn from them. 
 Portugal’s drug of choice was heroin. The use of cannabis and cocaine was low by international standards, but the use of heroin was troubling. Desperate to respond, the government used the traditional prohibitionist policies of criminalization and punishment. Being tough on crime is popular, so Portugal welcomed these policies with open arms.