At the same, we are told to blame people less fortunate for our problems, and this extends to an anti-immigration sentiment. We can’t get poor and middle-class people to band together because they often cling to their deep-seated prejudices, particularly those based on race and religion. Of course, have not been able to make as much progress in these areas due to greed, but another factor is that the powerful have used a divide-and-conquer strategy to discredit their opposition and to get the people who need the most help to fight amongst themselves. Some of the most pressing problems we have are income inequality, a broken elections system, racial inequality, and the dangers presented to the environment. We can see these principles are work every day. However, even when people are aware of this, they are still stuck in their tribalistic tendencies. A “political staple,” it is highly effective because the people who use it often have extensive knowledge of the groups they are controlling, and people do not realize that the tactic is being used on them most of the time (wiseGEEK). Today, the phrase divide and conquer is most commonly used in the political and social sense. As pointed out on wiseGEEK, this strategy was used by the Romans when they took Britain by the British Empire when it was extending to India, and by the Anglo-Normans when they took over Ireland. The divide-and-conquer strategy has been used throughout history, primarily in the militaristic sense. Likewise, so has such a strategy (whether you are talking about being Machiavellian or using a divide-and-conquer strategy on people). Through his writings, Machiavelli has become synonymous with deceit and treachery (Mansfield).

In short, he wrote about weakening the enemy by getting men in opposing ranks to distrust each other (Chadwick). Machiavelli was known to have alluded to the divide-and-conquer strategy in two of his most important works, The Prince (1513) and The Art of War (1521). For the conquerors to maintain their power and influence, they often work to keep smaller groups or forces from uniting. Militarily speaking: To conquer, the first group must already have some form of power and access to adequate economic, political, and/or military forces. A divide-and-conquer strategy can also be used in computing, but which an algorithm allows a machine to break up a complex problem into smaller problems until all the problems are solved (Wiktionary). Generally, the divide-and-conquer strategy involves one group pitting smaller groups against each other to obtain (and keep) power (over a populace). What Does It Mean to ‘Divide and Conquer’? According to two sources I consulted ( and the Online Etymology Dictionary), the phrase divide and conquer first appeared in the English language in 1600 A.D. The phrase “divide and conquer” comes from the Latin phrase divide et impera (which translates to “divide and rule”). It has also been connected to Machiavelli, especially from the ideas he put forth in some of his works. It’s unclear, but the use of the idea has been around for millennia.

Who First Used the Phrase ‘Divide and Conquer’? While most of us may understand what it means to “divide and conquer,” most of us haven’t really thought about the origin of the phrase, let alone the first use of such a strategy. On the other hand, a divide and conquer strategy or protocol can have practical uses to it. On one hand, this phrase is used in reference to sinister strategies that have altered the course of history.

Today, I decided to go with a familiar phrase that is highly relevant and may always be. The best way to neutralize the opposition is to divide and conquer.

Divide and conquer meaning