divide and rule
Fragment then dominate
Divide and rule is a strategy of maintaining power by keeping opponents fragmented and unable to unite against you.
The ruler foments divisions among subjects—ethnic, religious, political—so they fight each other rather than challenge authority.
The colonial administration's divide and rule tactics left lasting sectarian tensions.
Also divide and conquer.
- BalkanizationSplintering into antagonistic regions
- conquerOvercome by force
- playing both sidesCovertly aiding opposing parties
- pit againstSet in opposition
- scapegoatingUnfairly assigning fault to innocents
sow discord · strategy · power play · The Prince · British colonialism · separate · fragment · Machiavellianism · cleave · realpolitik · wedge issue · polarization · us versus them · segmentation · proxy wars · puppet states · partition · client states
- colonialismcolony, colonization, colonial powers, colonizer, colonies
divide and rulecoalition-building
Forming multi-party alliances
consensus-building · unification · power-sharing · integration · bridge-building
divide and rulebring together
Cause to meet
solidarity · cooperation · community-building · inclusion · collaboration
divide and ruleservant leadership
Leading through service first
empowerment · democratic leadership · cooperation · mutualism · egalitarianism
rule, divide, division, individual, divided, dividing, undivided, divider, divides