The Mechanism of Neocolonialism in Faction System Veronica Roth’s Divergent

Abstract

Human unawareness of neo-colonialism makes many people become deceived by circumstances that seem to raise them from adversity. This study explores how neocolonialism is reflected in Veronica Roth's novel, Divergent, by analyzing the mechanism of neocolonialism through the faction system. The faction system in Divergent is often examined from the perspective of social control and ideological domination. This research method is descriptive qualitative. It uses Antonio Gramsci's theory of hegemony to analyze how domination is maintained not only through coercion but also through the consent of other groups. Gramsci's concept highlights the role of ideological and cultural control in securing power, which in the context of Divergent is reflected in social norms, faction-based education, and moral values that shape individual behavior. This system simplifies social control by assigning a single quality to each individual to eliminate ambiguity and variation. This type of faction system prevents the emergence of rebels who could disrupt the established order. This is why neocolonialism occurs because they follow the existing rules without resistance. They perceive these as social regulations that they must obey to maintain world security and peace.