Let me explain how such a thing might occasionally happen,' Goebbels said. 'All during the twelve years of the Weimar Republic our people were virtually in jail. Now our party is in charge and they are free again. When a man has been in jail for twelve years and he is suddenly freed, in his joy he may do something irrational, perhaps even brutal. Is that not a possibility in your country also?'Ebbutt, his voice even, noted a fundamental difference in how England might approach such a scenario. 'If it should happen,' he said, 'we would throw the man right back in jail.
Goebbels discussed the psychological impact of the Weimar Republic's oppressive environment on citizens, emphasizing that after years of confinement, individuals may react irrationally upon gaining freedom. He implied that this unpredictable behavior, potentially violent, could emerge from a sense of elation following a long period of oppression. Goebbels suggested that a similar situation could occur in other countries when people suddenly experience liberation after being restricted for an extended time.
In contrast, Ebbutt pointed out a significant difference in how England might respond to such behavior. He indicated that rather than allowing someone to act out in their newfound freedom, the appropriate reaction would be to reinstate them to jail to prevent potential chaos. This exchange illustrates the tension between freedom and control, highlighting differing philosophies on managing individuals who have suffered under oppressive regimes.