Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
divide-and-rule
phrase
dih-vahyd-and-rool
Definition
A strategy to gain or maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into pieces that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.
Examples
- The colonial government’s divide-and-rule tactics created unrest among the local populations.
- In politics, candidates may sometimes use divide-and-rule strategies to weaken their opponents.
Meaning
The principle of maintaining control by creating divisions among groups or individuals to prevent them from uniting against you.
Synonyms
- Divide and conquer
- Split strategy
- Divide and separate
