The original term was 'divide and rule (divide ut regnes) as practised by Julius Caesar and other Roman leaders. CX was actually having a small recruiting problem in the late 80's until the 'Dispute' down under threw up a swag of newly-redundant experienced jet pilots.
Then the introduction of basings and B Scale salaries proved more successful than management could believe, division was established and it has all gone downhill since. The rulers will push as hard as they can until they meet resistance, then they will back off a little, but no more than they think they have to.
Capiche?