Diversity — demographic, ideological, cultural, ethnic or linguistic — if reconciled, adds to a nation's inclusivity, prosperity and strength. When individuals and groups have a say in decisions and feel valued, society develops and strengthens. Yet it can also be a weakness if exploited. Thus, it is a double-edged sword. Societies that integrate and use their diversity prosper. However, those that weaponise and magnify divisions fracture along economic, ethnic, racial, sectarian, regional and ideological lines, enabling rulers to sustain power through 'divide and rule.'

Interestingly, in such societies, it's not just the sensitised divisions that serve the rulers, but also their timely consolidation. This thereby leaves society oscillating between chaos (or critical junctures) and the fleeting calm before the next onset of chaos. The rule by division — where rulers and ruled are perennial winners and losers, respectively — is rarely a mere accident or due to a lack of competence, vision or........

© The Express Tribune