The “divide and rule” policy, also known as “divide and conquer,” is a strategy or tactic employed by rulers, governments, or entities to maintain control by creating divisions among the subjects or groups they govern. The basic idea is to exploit existing differences, whether they be ethnic, religious, cultural, or social, to prevent unity and solidarity among the population.
The strategy typically involves:
- Creating divisions: Identify existing fault lines or differences within the population, such as ethnic or religious differences, and emphasize them to create tensions.
- Exploiting differences: Use these divisions to weaken any potential opposition. By keeping different groups at odds with each other, it becomes more challenging for them to unite against the ruling authority.
- Control through manipulation: The ruling authority may manipulate information, spread propaganda, or use discriminatory policies to further exacerbate differences and maintain control.
Historically, various rulers and empires have employed the divide and rule strategy as a means of consolidating power. The British Empire, for example, is often cited as having used this policy in its colonial administration, fostering divisions among different ethnic and religious communities to prevent them from forming a united front against colonial rule.
The term is not limited to colonial contexts; it can be applied more broadly to any situation where a governing power seeks to maintain control by sowing discord among the governed.