Meaning: Hans Frank, a prominent figure in Nazi Germany, made this statement regarding the role of the Academy of German Law during the reign of the totalitarian regime. The quote reflects the limitations and constraints faced by the Academy in shaping laws and policies in various spheres due to the overwhelming control of the totalitarian regime.

The Academy of German Law was established in 1933 under the leadership of Hans Frank, who was a key figure in the legal system of Nazi Germany. The primary objective of the Academy was to provide legal expertise and guidance to the government in formulating laws and regulations that aligned with the ideology and objectives of the Nazi regime. However, as Hans Frank's statement suggests, the scope of the Academy's influence was increasingly restricted by the totalitarian nature of the regime.

The phrase "helped to frame only laws of an economic or social nature" indicates that the Academy's focus was largely directed towards legislating in areas related to the economy and society. This emphasis on economic and social laws was consistent with the Nazi regime's agenda of restructuring the German society and economy along ideological lines. The Academy played a significant role in formulating laws that promoted the regime's agenda of racial purity, social hierarchy, and economic reorganization, thereby contributing to the consolidation of Nazi power.

The reference to "owing to the development of the totalitarian regime" underscores the growing influence and control of the totalitarian state over all aspects of governance and legislation. As the Nazi regime tightened its grip on power, institutions such as the Academy of German Law faced increasing constraints on their autonomy and decision-making authority. The totalitarian regime's pervasive reach and control extended to all spheres of public life, including legal and legislative processes, thereby limiting the scope for independent action by institutions like the Academy.

The phrase "it became more and more impossible to cooperate in other spheres" highlights the diminishing capacity of the Academy to engage in collaborative efforts beyond the realm of economic and social legislation. This indicates that the totalitarian regime's dominance restricted the Academy's ability to contribute to legal and policy developments in areas such as civil rights, political freedoms, and other domains that were not aligned with the regime's objectives. The regime's intolerance of dissent and opposition further curtailed the Academy's capacity to participate in shaping laws and policies in diverse spheres.

Hans Frank's characterization of the Academy's role as being primarily limited to economic and social laws underlines the subjugation of legal and legislative institutions to the totalitarian regime's agenda. The quote encapsulates the challenges faced by institutions within authoritarian systems, where their functions and contributions are circumscribed by the overarching control of the ruling regime. It also serves as a reminder of the pernicious impact of totalitarianism on the autonomy and independence of legal and legislative bodies, as well as the broader implications for the rule of law and governance in such contexts.

In conclusion, Hans Frank's statement offers insight into the constraints faced by the Academy of German Law in navigating the totalitarian regime's dominance and shaping laws and policies during the Nazi era. The quote sheds light on the limited scope of the Academy's influence, particularly in areas outside of economic and social legislation, and underscores the pervasive impact of totalitarianism on legal and legislative institutions. It serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes to the autonomy and integrity of legal frameworks and institutions.