Politicians may use the divide and conquer strategy by playing on the fears, prejudices, and insecurities of different groups of people, promoting distrust and animosity between them, and using this to their advantage. For example, they may emphasize differences between different ethnic, religious, or socio-economic groups, or pit different regions of a country against each other.

This strategy can be harmful to everyday voters in several ways. First, it can create a toxic political environment that makes it difficult for people to work together for the common good. It can also lead to greater polarization and mistrust, making it harder for people to find common ground and resolve conflicts. Additionally, it can distract attention away from the actions of those in power, making it easier for them to pursue policies that benefit themselves and harm ordinary people.

If you want to learn more about how some political groups use the divide and conquer strategy to gain power, there are many resources out there that can help. Here are a few suggestions:

Books:

• "The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism" by Naomi Klein - This book explores how political and economic elites use crises to further their own interests, often by exploiting divisions and conflicts within society.

• "The Politics of Resentment: Rural Consciousness in Wisconsin and the Rise of Scott Walker" by Katherine J. Cramer - This book examines how politicians use cultural divisions to mobilize support, particularly in rural areas.

• "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America" by Richard Rothstein - This book explores how government policies and practices have perpetuated racial and economic segregation in the United States, contributing to division and inequality.

Publications:

• "The Atlantic" - The Atlantic has published several articles on the ways politicians and other actors use division to gain power, such as "The Weaponization of National Belonging, from Nazi Germany to Trump" by Adam Serwer.

• "The New Yorker" - The New Yorker has also published articles on the use of division in politics, such as "The Strategy of Fear: How Donald Trump Won" by Evan Osnos.

• "Harper's Magazine" - Harper's has published several pieces on this topic, including "The Birth of a New American Aristocracy" by Matthew Stewart, which examines how economic inequality contributes to political division.

Documentaries:

• "13th" (2016) - A documentary that explores the ways in which racial division and inequality have been perpetuated through the criminal justice system in the United States.

• "The Great Hack" (2019) - A documentary that examines how political campaigns and other actors use data and social media to target and divide voters.

• "The Big Lie: Exposing the Nazi Roots of the American Left" (2020) - A documentary that promotes a particular perspective, but explores the idea that certain political groups use division to gain power.

There are several actions you can take and organizations you can join or support to help limit politicians from using division as a way to gain influence. Here are a few suggestions:

• Support media literacy: One of the ways that politicians use division as a tactic is by spreading misinformation or using media to stoke fear and anger. By supporting organizations that promote media literacy, such as News Literacy Project or MediaWise, you can help people develop critical thinking skills and better understand how to identify fake news and propaganda.

• Support efforts to combat hate speech: Some politicians use hate speech and discriminatory language to create division and mobilize support. By supporting organizations that work to combat hate speech and promote inclusive language, such as Southern Poverty Law Center or Not In Our Town, you can help create a more respectful and tolerant political environment.

• Participate in dialogue and community building: Another way to combat division is to actively participate in dialogue and community building efforts. By joining organizations or initiatives that promote community building, such as local community centers, religious organizations, or grassroots initiatives, you can help create spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together and find common ground.

• Support candidates who promote unity: When you vote, support candidates who promote unity and inclusivity, and who work to bring people together rather than dividing them. You can also support these candidates by volunteering for their campaigns or making a financial contribution.

• Advocate for policies that promote equity and justice: Some politicians use division as a way to maintain power by creating and exploiting inequalities. By advocating for policies that promote equity and justice, such as affordable housing, access to education and healthcare, and criminal justice reform, you can help create a more just and fair society where politicians are less likely to use division as a tool to gain power.

By taking these actions and supporting these organizations, you can help limit politicians from using division as a way to gain influence, and work towards a more inclusive and equitable political system.