Oppressors maintain rule by isolating peasants, workers, and students from each other.

Evidence

For this reason it is indispensable for the oppressors to keep the peasants isolated from the urban workers, just as it is indispensable to keep both groups isolated from the students. The testimony of rebellion of the latter (although they do not sociologically constitute a class) makes them dangerous in the event they join the people. It is thus necessary to convince the lower classes that students are irresponsible and disorderly, that their testimony is false because as students they should be studying, just as the factory workers and the peasants should be working towards the “nation’s progress.” — Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed, 617

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Racial oppression enlists the oppressor’s laboring classes in enforcing rule.