A united populace is hard to control. Divide people by identity, ideology and tribe and you can steer them at will. In this part we examine how polarisation, identity politics and manufactured crises are used to pit neighbour against neighbour while centralising power continues unchallenged.
Divide, Distract and Conquer
Polarisation by Design
According to Pew Research, ideological uniformity has more than doubled in the last two decades. Now 92 % of Republicans are to the right of the median Democrat and 94 % of Democrats are to the left of the median Republican. Partisan animosity has more than doubled. People cluster in ideological “silos” where everyone thinks alike. This isn’t an organic phenomenon; it’s the result of algorithmic sorting, gerrymandered districts and media narratives that emphasise extremes and ignore nuance.
Identity Politics & Problem–Reaction–Solution
By inflaming cultural issues around race, gender and religion, elites distract from economic exploitation and erosion of civil liberties. When a problem is orchestrated or exaggerated, the public demands a solution that hands more power to the very institutions that created the crisis. This “problem–reaction–solution” cycle repeats with terrorism, pandemics and financial crashes. Meanwhile, the Left vs Right battle keeps voters locked in a rigged game where both sides serve the same masters.
What You Can Do
- See beyond labels: recognise humanity in those with different views.
- Turn off echo chambers: diversify your information diet and avoid algorithmic bubbles.
- Follow the money: ask who profits from stoking division and expanding state power.
- Focus on shared goals: build alliances around local food, clean water and personal freedom.
When we refuse to fight each other, those who profit from our division lose their grip.