Dealing with Opposition: Divide and Conquer

Machiavelli advises rulers to neutralize opposition by dividing potential adversaries and preventing them from uniting against the regime. Whether the opposition is internal, like rebellious factions, or external, like rival states, dividing them reduces their strength. Machiavelli suggests using diplomacy, manipulation, and even bribery to create divisions. By keeping opponents at odds with each other, rulers can maintain control. This strategy weakens the capacity for organized resistance and ensures that any challenges to authority remain fragmented and less threatening.