Imperial control operates through refined understanding more than force

Evidence

It is rather to understand his limitations and “endeavor to find, in the contentment of the subject race, a more worthy and, it may be hoped, a stronger bond of union between the rulers and the ruled.” Lurking everywhere behind the pacification of the subject race is imperial might, more effective for its refined understanding and infrequent use than for its soldiers, brutal tax gatherers, and incontinent force. In a word, the Empire must be wise; it must temper its cupidity with selflessness, and its impatience with flexible discipline. — Edward W. Said, Orientalism, 119

Categorization

Category: Causal Relationships

• XREF: The ‘contentment of the subject race’ anticipates Gramscian hegemony — rule by consent rather than coercion — which the reader’s scaffolding needs.

Related

• Imperial control depended on constantly refined knowledge of the Orient. (similarity 0.79)