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divide and rule
Sign in to saveAlso known as divide and conquer, divide et impera
strategy in politics and sociology for stabilizing anti-democratic, illegitimate rule over people
"Divide and rule" is a strategy where those in power deliberately create divisions among the people they govern to prevent them from uniting against their authority. It matters because it helps explain how some leaders maintain control over populations even when their rule lacks legitimate support or democratic backing.
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Tradition attributes the origin of the motto to Philip II of Macedon: Ancient Greek: διαίρει καὶ βασίλευε diaírei kài basíleue, meaning "divide and rule"
The term divide and conquer in politics refers to an entity gaining and maintaining political power by using divisive measures. This includes the exploitation of existing divisions within a political group by its political opponents, and also the deliberate creation or strengthening of such divisions.