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February 21, 2006
An Apt Description.
"This separation of government from people, this widening of the gap, took place so gradually and so insensibly, each step disguised (perhaps not even intentionally) as a temporary emergency measure or associated with true patriotic allegiance or with real social purposes. And all the crises and reforms (real reforms, too) so occupied the people that they did not see the slow motion underneath, the whole process of government growing remoter and remoter."To live in this process is absolutely not to be able to notice it ... unless one has a much greater degree of political awareness, acuity than most of us ever had occasion to develop. Each step was so small, so inconsequential, so well explained or, on occasion, 'regretted,' that, unless one understood what the whole thing was in principle, what all these 'little measures' that no 'patriotic person' could resent must some day lead to, one no more saw it developing from day to day than a farmer in his field sees the corn growing. One day it is over his head."
The book I read is "They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45" by Milton Mayer (U. of Chicago Press 1955).
It is truly a remarkable book. The chapter from which I quoted (with a slight alteration) is available in its entirety at the website of the University of Chicago Press.
Very heartily recommended.
Posted by Eric at February 21, 2006 7:03 PM
Comments
Eric--
WHAT BOOK? We need a reference here!
Posted by: Dabney at February 21, 2006 7:41 PM
Indeed, we do.
I can think of a few possibilities, but I'd be shooting... behind me without looking.
Posted by: Ahistoricality at February 21, 2006 8:18 PM
My vague recollection is Sallust, The Conspiracy of Catiline.
Posted by: alkali at February 21, 2006 8:26 PM
Me? I think I'm free . . . .
Posted by: dswift at February 21, 2006 9:26 PM
Death of a "Jewish Science:" Psychoanalysis in the Third Reich
Posted by: Andy Vance at February 21, 2006 11:49 PM
*getting Barnes and Noble gift certificate ready*
Posted by: Laurie at February 22, 2006 1:36 AM
Hello,
very moving text, but I am not completely sure that 'free' is completely right, describing that time. Sort of like the problem with 'free' in free software/GPL - free to change and use (freedom) and free in terms of cost (though it is perfectly legal to buy and sell GPL software).
Of course, a book written in 1955 (fifty years ago!) would not have much to do with 'free' as used in American discourse now. And I realize my suggestion is equally problematic, but 'choose' would come much closer, in my eyes and experience.
The Germans thought they could choose - the excerpted text clearly runs in that direction (or of free in the sense of free will, of course). The Germans of that time did not have much experience with 'freedom' as an American from the last 50 years would understand the term.
After 1933, the Germans were not free, but their choices in handling that truth led to disaster. The resonances to another society being ruled under threats of terror and an ever decreasing public space for free expression are ever more frightening.
Posted by: excerpt at February 23, 2006 5:36 AM