bread and games

wooden chessboard, bread rolls. 39 x 39 cm.

“panem et circenses” is the latin phrase for “bread and games”, a synonym for government policy which is based on entertainment to calm public discontent.

in a political context, the phrase means to generate public approval, not by excellence in public service or public policy, but by diversion, distraction or by satisfying the most immediate or base requirements of a populace by offering a palliative: for example food (bread) or entertainment (circuses). roman politicians passed laws in 140 b.c. to keep the votes of poorer citizens by introducing a grain dole: giving out cheap food and entertainment, “bread and circuses” became the most effective way of rising to power.

– https://cognitive-liberty.online/caesars-panem-et-circenses/