Frame of mind Quote by Anonymous
““the Army, small as it was in numbers, became a state within a state, exerting an increasing influence on the nation’s foreign and domestic policies until a point was reached where the Republic’s continued existence depended on the will of the officer corps. As a state within a state it maintained its independence of the national government. Under the Weimar Constitution the Army could have been subordinated to the cabinet and Parliament, as the military establishments of the other Western democracies were. But it was not. Nor was the officer corps purged of its monarchist, antirepublican frame of mind.””
About This Quote
Source Historical analysis: Weimar Germany, 1919‑1933
The army acted as an autonomous power, influencing politics and remaining loyal to monarchist, anti‑republican ideals, preventing full civilian control.
In simple terms: The military was a powerful, independent force in Weimar Germany.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the risk of an unchecked military in a democracy.
Themes
politics
military
civil‑civilian relations
history
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
historical
political commentary
When to use this quote
- government decision‑making
- defense policy
- historical research
- comparative politics
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
institutional autonomy
political influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does military autonomy affect democratic governance?
- What safeguards can prevent a “state within a state”?
A Different Perspective
The army’s independence limited democratic reforms and contributed to instability.
![“I simply constructed a project to try to snap Kurt [Cobain] out of a frame of mind. I sent him a plane ticket and a driver, and he tacked the plane ticket to the wall in the bedroom and the driver sat outside the house for 10 hours. Kurt wouldn't come out and wouldn't answer the phone.” quote by Michael Stipe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/208/michael-stipe-6714_answers_i-simply-constructed-a-project-to-try-to_117192.jpg)
