a minority can subjugate a majority

[alpacinou]

Have I used "subjugate" correctly? Is this okay?

It's one of the flaws of our species that a stupid and violent minority with neanderthal tendencies can subjugate a decent, sophisticated yet non-violent majority.

 

[Tarheel]

Have I used "subjugate" correctly? Is this okay?

It's one of the flaws of our species that a stupid and violent minority with Neanderthal tendencies can subjugate a decent, sophisticated yet non-violent majority.

It's okay.

 

[probus]

Subjugate is fine, but your use of "yet" troubles me. I'd omit it.

 

[Tarheel]

Subjugate is fine, but your use of "yet" troubles me. I'd omit it.

I agree that " yet" doesn't belong there. (I overlooked that.)

 

[jutfrank]

The word subjugate is correct if that's what you actually mean. Could you clarify what you do actually mean?

 

[Skrej]

'Yet' sets up a context of contrast that one wouldn't really expect to see if you're calling them decent and sophisticated. If they were actually violent in contrast to being decent and sophisticated, then 'yet' would be appropriate.

Replace 'yet' with 'and'.

 

[alpacinou]

The word subjugate is correct if that's what you actually mean. Could you clarify what you do actually mean?

I mean brutalize and oppress that majority in the hope of dominating it.

 

[jutfrank]

If you're talking about the minority bringing the majority under its rule, then yes.

 

[Tarheel]

I mean brutalize and oppress that majority in the hope of dominating it.

If you are brutalizing and oppressing them it seems to me that you are dominating them already.