United we stand, divided we fall

The tale of a woodcutter and two of his sons who fought all the time is a great example of how the woodcutter sought to teach his sons not to fall prey to the age-old tactic, of divide and conquer.

It is a lesson well learnt by economic and military strategists, a lesson which unfolds one of the world’s greatest strategies to men who crave power. The woodcutter before dying passes on wise words to his sons “united we stand, divided we fall”, a clichéd term in today’s world.

This statement has proved its worth throughout history. Man continues to fall for this age-old tactic even after having seen it in action on different occasions.

This tactic first came into knowledge by the example of Gabinius dividing the Jewish nation into five conventions but is identified with the principle of government of the Old French Republic. It is a testament to its power that people like Caesar and Machiavelli have used and talked about it liberally. We in the sub-continent have seen the awesome power of this strategy in play on ourselves not too long ago.

We ourselves are highly creative beings; we do not need difference to set us apart. Being the same species, we fight on colour and race, things that are but skin deep. We fight when we do not worship the same God.

We fight still if we worship one God. Either we are too white or too black. Too moderate or to fanatical, too leftist or too rightist, the list goes on. Subjective things that vary as man varies. We continue to divide and make factions upon factions when we should consolidate and come together. The world fights and makes us fight, and we, like puppets, fight on. How many sons must die, how many women must be widowed. How many orphans must we make? How many?

Grinding ourselves and playing the puppet for the Great War economy. In the end it is all about power and economics. The fat cats get richer and more powerful while the peasant trudges through life.

But when the peasants come together, they can form a consolidated power greater than anyone can imagine.In today’s world the peasants are not of one nation but on a global level. Now imagine if the peasants of the world came together and said “stop!”

Is there any power that can stop them?