Cabinets Quote by Robert O. Paxton
“Well, almost everything is open - the political documents, the (unintelligible) of cabinet meetings. What has been opened now and what had been closed are things that many governments still close, and that is police files and trial records, trial records of the special courts set up by Vichy. And especially interesting are the trial records of the Purge Trials after the war.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Vichy France: A History of the Collaborationist Regime, 1940‑44, Robert O. Paxton, 1972
The quote highlights how many governmental records remain sealed, especially police and trial files, despite broader transparency trends.
In simple terms: Governments still hide some records even as many become public.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for open access to historical records.
Themes
transparency
history
government
privacy
archives
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- journalism
- legal investigations
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
civil liberties
historical research
public accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria should determine which records stay closed?
- How does secrecy affect public trust?
A Different Perspective
Some sealed files may contain sensitive personal data that could harm individuals if released.
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