A fundamental concept behind the rise of fascist and extremist governments the world over, and throughout history, is the sad truth that average people will surrender their liberty and freedom willingly, if it means having a more stable or materially prosperous life. And they will be even more willing to surrender the liberty and freedom of other groups of people which they are not a part of.
It's shown most clearly in this 1946 poem by the German pastor Martin Niemöller:
"First they came for the Communists.
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist;
Then they came for the Socialists.
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists.
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews.
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me.
And there was no one left
To speak out for me."
