poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the
best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one
piece? Naturally, the common people don't want war, neither
in Russia, nor England, nor for that matter, Germany. That
is understood, but after all it is the leaders of the
country who determine the policy and it is always a simpler
matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy,
or fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist
dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be
brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All
you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and
denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing
the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
- Herman Goering, while imprisoned at Nuremberg