- Freedom: An Unruly History - Annelien de Dijn
- THE GOOD BOOK OF HUMAN
- Nuremberg Diary
While still in prison during the Nuremberg trials, Hermann Göring gave an interview to psychologist Gustav Gilbert
Göring said:
"Of course the people don't want war. Why should a simple farmer risk his life when the best he can get out of a war is to return to his farm unscathed? Nobody wants war—not in Russia, England, America, or Germany. That's clear.
But ultimately, the leaders of a country determine policy. And getting the people to support this policy is easy. It doesn't matter whether it's democracy, communism, parliamentarianism, or a fascist dictatorship.“
Gilbert replied:
”But there is a difference in democracy—the people can express their opinions through elected representatives."
Göring replied:
“Of course this is good, but it doesn't matter whether the people have a voice or not, they can always be forced to obey.” It's simple: tell them they are under attack, then accuse the pacifists of being unpatriotic and endangering the country. It works in every country. “
April 18, 1946, quoted from Gilbert's book.