Divide and rule policy, or divide and conquer, in politics and sociology is gaining and maintaining power divisively. This includes the exploitation of existing divisions within a political group by its political opponents, and also the deliberate creation or strengthening of such divisions.
Tradition attributes the origin of the motto to Philip II of Macedon: Greek: διαίρει καὶ βασίλευε diaírei kài basíleue, in Ancient Greek, meaning "divide and rule"
Power (social and political)
In political science, power is the social production of an effect that determines the capacities, actions, beliefs, or conduct of actors. Power does not exclusively refer to the threat or use of force (coercion) by one actor against another, but may also be exerted through diffuse means.
Image: Great Hall of the People and Monument to the People's Heros, Tiananmen Square
Image: Japanese passport crimson
Image: Modern chain gang
Image: Bronze sculpture of Barack and Michelle Obama at Barack Obama Plaza 1