Divide and rule

As a rule, this phrase is considered the maxim of the Roman Senate (without indicating the source). However, it is absent in the corpus of Latin texts of the classical period, which completely excludes the possibility of its ancient origin. (Perhaps this attribution goes back to the “Roman history” of Charles Rollin (VII, 25)). There is a strong tradition (especially in France) to attribute it (often in the form of divide ut regnes ) to Louis XI (for example, in Merimet or Dumas in The Three Musketeers ) or Catherine de Medici . Often the author is also called Machiavelli - and indeed, he has a similar wording, but in Italian: che tu hai in governo, divise (“that which you govern, share ” - “Discussions on the first decade of Titus Livius”, III, XXVII , without reference to any authority). The Latin formula has not yet been found in an earlier composition than the satire Bokkalini "Izvestia parnasa " ( 1612 ). In the form of separa et impera, it appears in a letter from Francis Bacon to Jacob I of February 15, 1615 . In English ( divide and rule ) for the first time by Joseph Hall in Meditations and Vowes ( 1605 ). ^[one]

In politics and sociology , divide and conquer is a strategy for obtaining and maintaining power, by dividing a large concentration of power into groups that individually have less power. Most often, small power groups are prevented from connecting and becoming more powerful, as it is usually more difficult to break up existing power structures. Effective use of this technique allows small forces to control those who together have more power (or would have more power if they could unite).

Such a technique requires a lot of skill and political grace, as well as a good understanding of political science, history and psychology. “Divide and conquer” works only if the objects of this technique agree with it (for example, because it leads to their personal advantage). This works best in societies where there was fierce competition between noble families, clans, or social classes before the overlord took over.

• creating or at least not preventing petty hostility among smaller players. Such enmity depletes resources and prevents alliances that might challenge lords;
• assistance to those who wish to collaborate with the overlord, often at the expense of the naughty local rulers;
• the creation of distrust and hostility between local rulers;
• Approval of excess expenses (for example, spectacular palaces ) to leave insufficient funds for political maneuvering and wars.

Guy Julius Caesar was one of the first to put into practice the policy, trying to push individual Germanic tribes against his foreheads. Hiring some for service and giving them privileges, while neglecting others. In particular, the Senate granted the title (“59 BC) of“ ruler and friend ”to Ariovist , the head of the Suevo-Garuda Union. A year later, when the tribal alliance began to rob the Gauls ( sequans ), Caesar defeated the former ally, pushing his squads behind the Rhine.

The strategy was used with great effect by the rulers of vast empires, including the British and Roman , which forced one tribe to fight with another to maintain control over their territories using minimal forces. The application of the principle of Divide and conquer played a very important role when India was part of the British Empire. The British used this strategy to gain control over a large territory of India, subjugating its people divided by religion, language, castes, etc., and established control over small states in India in parts. The Spaniards did the same when conquering America, when a handful of conquistadors with the help of allied Indian tribes conquered the Aztec empire . The Third Reich pursued a similar policy in the occupied territories of Eastern Europe (especially in the territories of the USSR and Yugoslavia).