plus ca change
or somesuch psuedo-Gallic psuedo intellectualism.
Divide and conquer is likely the oldest strategy in the arsenal of a social primate. Exploit group dynamics to turn the group against your enemies, or get your enemies fighting amongst themselves. Plantation owners pitting poor whites against black slaves is a true classic of the genre. The overseer dreamed of owning a plantation, the poor soldier dreamed of being an overseer.
Every monkey wants to live at the top of the tree, because nobody can piss on you up there.