“In the general course of human nature, a power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will.” -- Alexander Hamilton
The quickest way to man's heart is through his stomach. If you can control his access to basic necessities, you can control the man. Napoleon observed that an army marches on its stomach. Citizens, as it turns out, do too. When food becomes the name of the game, you find out just how principled your opposition is. Many will accommodate in the face of convenience. More will cave after greater consideration. Still more will capitulate out of consternation. But some will hold out as a matter of conscience and conviction. In most cases, as Hamilton observed, the power over a man's subsistence amounts to a power over his will. But some will go down swinging. Necessity is the mother of invention. By pushing something all the way to the corners, you inspire the fighting instinct. Once the majority of the resistance flees, the minority that remains is forced to fight.
"When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard. When a foe is cornered, they must fight for their lives and will do so with the energy of final fear. If you force them to go down in a blaze of glory they will do so, taking more of your troops than you might otherwise expend." -- Sun Tzu, The Art of War
By closing all outlets, you leave the hold outs with no option but to bow up and give it their best shot. You force them to draw themselves up to their full height to fight.
"Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it." -- Winston Churchill
When you take away the only out, you guarantee a greater buy in. When you barricade the way out, you get their best coming right back at you.A cul-de-sac does what a through street doesn't: it forces you to face those who were happy enough to go away.
“Well, I won't back down
No, I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
No, I'll stand my ground
Won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground”
— Tom Petty
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