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In the past decade there has been much talk of “War of Nerves and Psychological Warfare.” An impression has been widely spread that a select group of brilliant German psychologists whose public orator was Goebbels, has devised irrestistible and invincible psychological weapons and stratagems which might ultimately batter populations into helpless submission. The opinion, still current even among those who should know better, is that German psychologists and politicians have developed supernatural insight into the psychic mechanisms of individuals and groups, and that with a mysterious mixture of black magic and science they can cripple and incapacitate public opinion with button-pushing ease.
Nothing could be further from the fact. German psychologists know nothing that is not commonplace to American scientists. All that has happened is that the German propaganda group has tried to disseminate the same aroma of invincibility about their psychologists as they have about their military forces. This, then, is the essence of German propaganda: “Whatever we do is done superbly and inimitably — you are licked before you start, so be sensible and accept our terms.” This technique of boisterous boasting and devaluation of everyone else is the stuff out of which their propaganda is made.
The facts are that German psychologists have contributed nothing new, awe-inspiring or cunning. It is vital to recognize that the world has been obliged to listen to Germany chiefly because it has military power. Only before other countries rearmed could the Germans successfully bully others into submission.
Nazi tactics should be divided into two parts: domestic and foreign propaganda. For home consumption, the Nazis formulated a philosophy of life which had a special appeal for large groups within Germany. To Americans,