The idiom "divide and conquer†is said to have originated with the Latin maxim "divide et impera†meaning divide and rule. Julius Caesar used it in reference to defeating the Gauls during the Gaelic War. While its first usage in the English language began circa 1600, through the centuries it"s carried a commonly understood meaning. The retention of power by utilizing a deliberate strategy of causing those in subordinate positions to engage in conflicts with each other that weaken and keep them from any unified effort to remove the status quo force from power. This policy of maintaining control over subordinates or potential opponents by encouraging or causing dissent between them, thereby preventing them from uniting in opposition to pose any serious threat to the existing power structure is a very familiar story throughout history. It"s an age old formula having multiple applications, most commonly used in the political arena but also in the military, sociological and economic realm as well. A good article.
damn it my response got fucked up, Mobile GC sucks! This is not a pleasant read but a necessary one. Although I don't think US hegemony will sustain much longer. I don't know where else on Earth the bankers can set up shop when US collapses, they are running out of places to hide.