Fifth Column
A group of people who secretly work to undermine an organization or nation from within.
Also known as: Fifth Columnist
Category: Principles
Tags: politics, security, history, sociology, organizations
Explanation
A Fifth Column is a clandestine group or faction of people who secretly undermine a larger group - such as a nation, organization, or community - from within, usually in favor of an external enemy or competing interest.
Origin:
The term originated during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Nationalist General Emilio Mola, while advancing on Madrid with four columns of troops, allegedly stated that he had a 'fifth column' of supporters already inside the city, ready to undermine the Republican defense from within.
Characteristics:
- Operates secretly within the target organization
- Maintains apparent loyalty while working against the group's interests
- Often connected to or sympathizing with an external adversary
- Activities can include sabotage, espionage, or propaganda
- Members appear to be regular participants in the organization
Historical Examples:
- Nazi sympathizers in occupied countries during WWII
- Communist infiltrators during the Cold War era
- Corporate moles providing intelligence to competitors
Modern Applications:
- Information security: Insider threats to organizations
- Politics: Politicians allegedly working against their country's interests
- Business: Employees secretly working for competitors
Distinctions:
- Different from legitimate dissent or opposition
- Involves deliberate deception and betrayal
- Usually serves external interests, not just personal gain
The term has become a general idiom for any treacherous insider, though its use can sometimes be hyperbolic or politically charged.
← Back to all concepts