Difference between revisions of "Thick line of separation"
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| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:power structure tools]]A [[thick line of separation]] is often drawn between members and non-members to enhance the [[support base]] for a [[power structure]]. |
This line is often drawn using an [[Arbitrary Requirement]], but the requirement need not be completely arbitrary; e.g. members must sign an oath of loyalty, or must wear a symbol, tag, or particular clothing to show their membership, or members must accept a particular doctrine in its entirety. | This line is often drawn using an [[Arbitrary Requirement]], but the requirement need not be completely arbitrary; e.g. members must sign an oath of loyalty, or must wear a symbol, tag, or particular clothing to show their membership, or members must accept a particular doctrine in its entirety. | ||
Revision as of 14:12, 28 January 2007
A thick line of separation is often drawn between members and non-members to enhance the support base for a power structure.
This line is often drawn using an Arbitrary Requirement, but the requirement need not be completely arbitrary; e.g. members must sign an oath of loyalty, or must wear a symbol, tag, or particular clothing to show their membership, or members must accept a particular doctrine in its entirety.
Although such stiffening of membership requirements may quantitatively reduce the power structure's support base by excluding many who would otherwise be members, those who remain will be disproportionately supportive of the power structure due to having consciously made the choice to "cross the line". Depending on the particular requirement(s) used to draw the line, members may also be specifically disinclined to question the power structure's motives or reasoning, thus helping to ensure the responsiveness of the support base to the power structure's wishes.
Drawing a thick line of separation is a mild form of choice between extremes ("you're either with us or you're not").