On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn presents twenty vital lessons that underscore the necessity of active and engaged citizenship in safeguarding democratic ideals. Snyder calls for the defense of democratic institutions and highlights the dangers of prematurely submitting to authority through anticipatory obedience.
Central to Snyder’s message is the importance of truth, critical thinking, and personal responsibility in resisting the encroachment of authoritarian rule. He warns against the seductive appeal of nationalism, which often simplifies complex issues into divisive “us vs. them” narratives.
This temptation to embrace overly simplistic and black-and-white explanations can undermine a society’s ethical foundations. As nationalism rises, so does the erosion of nuanced thinking, which is crucial in making informed decisions that protect human rights and dignity.
Snyder’s work serves as both a stark warning and an urgent call to action. It challenges individuals to stay vigilant, be critical of power, and take proactive steps to preserve the values of democracy. The book not only highlights the threats posed by authoritarianism but also offers practical insights into how to resist and reverse these dangerous trends, ultimately ensuring that the lessons of the past are not forgotten and that the fundamental principles of freedom and justice are protected for future generations.
Book Summary Contents
- 1 What Are The Questions On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn Answers?
- 2 On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn Details & Statistics
- 3 On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn Quotes
- 4 On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn Table Of Contents
- 5 On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn – Book Summary
- 5.1 1. Do Not Obey in Advance
- 5.2 2. Defend Institutions
- 5.3 3. Beware the One-Party State
- 5.4 4. Take Responsibility for the Face of the World
- 5.5 5. Remember Professional Ethics
- 5.6 6. Be Wary of Paramilitaries
- 5.7 7. Be Reflective if You Must Be Armed
- 5.8 8. Stand Out
- 5.9 9. Be Kind to Our Language
- 5.10 10. Believe in Truth
- 5.11 11. Investigate
- 5.12 12. Make Eye Contact and Small Talk
- 5.13 13. Practice Corporeal Politics
- 5.14 14. Establish a Private Life
- 5.15 15. Contribute to Good Causes
- 5.16 16. Learn from Peers in Other Countries
- 5.17 17. Listen for Dangerous Words
- 5.18 18. Be Calm When the Unthinkable Arrives
- 5.19 19. Be a Patriot
- 5.20 20. Be as Courageous as You Can
- 6 About the Author: Timothy Snyder
- 7 Attachments & References
What Are The Questions On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn Answers?
- What are the dangers of a one-party state, and how does it affect democratic elections?
- How can the minor choices people make influence future free and fair elections?
- What role do professional ethics play in the face of political leadership that sets a negative example?
- How do paramilitary groups contribute to the degradation of political order?
- What does it mean to be reflective if you must be armed, and why is this important for public service?
- How does standing out and doing something different contribute to the preservation of freedom?
- What are the four modes through which truth dies, according to the text?
- Why is it important to establish a private life in the face of oppressive rulers, and how does this protect personal freedom?
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn Details & Statistics
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Crown; First Edition (February 28, 2017) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 128 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0804190119 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0804190114 |
Statistics of On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn
Best Sellers Rank:
- #18 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Democracy (Books)
- #1 in Sociology Reference
- #1 in Civics & Citizenship (Books)
Customer Reviews:
- 4.7 out of 5 stars
- 31,251 ratings
Genres:
- Nonfiction
- History
- Philosophy
- Essays
- Audiobook
- Politics
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn Quotes
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The mistake is to assume that rulers who came to power through institutions cannot change or destroy those very institutions—even when that is exactly what they have announced that they will do.
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You submit to tyranny when you renounce the difference between what you want to hear and what is actually the case.
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Anticipatory obedience is a political tragedy.
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Life is political, not because the world cares about how you feel, but because the world reacts to what you do.
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Once truth had become oracular rather than factual, evidence was irrelevant.
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Like Hitler, the president used the word lies to mean statements of fact not to his liking, and presented journalism as a campaign against himself. The president was on friendlier terms with the internet, his source for erroneous information that he passed on to millions of people.
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Much needs to be done to fix the gerrymandered system so that each citizen has one equal vote, and so that each vote can be simply counted by a fellow citizen. We need paper ballots, because they cannot be tampered with remotely and can always be recounted.
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Some killed from murderous conviction. But many others who killed were just afraid to stand out. Other forces were at work besides conformism. But without the conformists, the great atrocities would have been impossible.
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Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary.
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In the politics of the everyday, our words and gestures, or their absence, count very much.
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The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.
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A nationalist will say that “it can’t happen here,” which is the first step toward disaster. A patriot says that it could happen here, but that we will stop it.
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn Table Of Contents
1. Do not obey in advance.
2. Defend institutions.
3. Beware the one-party state.
4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.
5. Remember professional ethics.
6. Be wary of paramilitaries.
7. Be reflective if you must be armed.
8. Stand out.
9. Be kind to our language.
10. Believe in truth.
11 . Investigate.
12. Make eye contact and small talk.
13. Practice corporeal politics.
14. Establish a private life.
15. Contribute to good causes.
16. Learn from peers in other countries.
17. Listen for dangerous words.
18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
19. Be a patriot.
20. Be as courageous as you can.
On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Twenty Lessons from History We Must Learn – Book Summary
20 Lessons from “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder: A Guide to Preventing Authoritarianism
Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny offers 20 crucial lessons drawn from the history of the 20th century to help prevent the rise of tyranny today. These lessons provide valuable insights into defending democracy, critical thinking, and personal responsibility. Here’s a summary of the first fifteen lessons from the book:
1. Do Not Obey in Advance
Authoritarianism gains power when individuals preemptively conform to what they believe a repressive government wants. This “anticipatory obedience” teaches the regime what is possible, making it harder to reverse.
2. Defend Institutions
Active defense of institutions is essential. Do not assume that institutions will protect themselves. Choose an institution you care about and take action to safeguard it from those who seek to destroy it.
3. Beware the One-Party State
Support the multi-party system and defend democratic elections. Single parties often seize power through elections or coups, changing the system from within. Any election could be the last free one.
4. Take Responsibility for the Face of the World
Be aware of symbols of hate and do not become desensitized to them. The minor choices people make are a kind of vote that can either preserve or harm the future of democracy.
5. Remember Professional Ethics
When political leaders set negative examples, professional ethics become even more important. Stick to your professional standards, even when the situation seems exceptional.
6. Be Wary of Paramilitaries
Armed groups claiming to be against the system, especially when they wear uniforms and carry symbols, can signal the end of democratic order. These groups degrade and transform the political system.
7. Be Reflective if You Must Be Armed
If you carry a weapon in public service, understand the risks. Be ready to refuse unjust orders and resist any actions that harm democracy.
8. Stand Out
It is easy to follow along, but freedom lies in setting an example. When you do something different, you break the spell of the status quo.
9. Be Kind to Our Language
Avoid using clichés or the same phrases everyone else does. Make an effort to separate yourself from the internet by reading books and engaging in meaningful conversations.
10. Believe in Truth
Truth is essential for freedom. When facts are abandoned, it becomes impossible to criticize power. Truth dies in four modes: hostility to reality, shamanistic incantation, magical thinking, and misplaced faith.
11. Investigate
Take the time to research and investigate things for yourself. Be aware that much content on the internet may be designed to deceive or manipulate you. Support investigative journalism.
12. Make Eye Contact and Small Talk
Engage in simple conversations with those around you. This practice helps you stay grounded and become aware of who you can trust in your community.
13. Practice Corporeal Politics
Get outside and meet new people. March with others to bring about change. Real progress happens when people come together and take action.
14. Establish a Private Life
Maintain a private sphere. Tyrants use what they know about you to manipulate and control. We are free when we set the boundaries between what is seen and what is hidden.
15. Contribute to Good Causes
Get involved in causes that align with your values. Support charities and active organizations that promote civil society and help others.
16. Learn from Peers in Other Countries
International experiences offer valuable insights. The issues facing the U.S. are part of a larger trend, and no country will find solutions in isolation.
17. Listen for Dangerous Words
Be cautious of words like “extremism” or “terrorism,” and recognize the manipulative use of patriotic language that justifies emergency powers.
18. Be Calm When the Unthinkable Arrives
Stay level-headed during crises, especially when authoritarian regimes exploit disasters to consolidate power. Do not allow such events to justify the erosion of democratic principles.
19. Be a Patriot
Patriotism means living up to your country’s ideals and encouraging others to do the same. Nationalism fosters division, while true patriotism asks us to be our best selves.
20. Be as Courageous as You Can
Freedom requires courage. If we aren’t willing to fight for it, we risk succumbing to tyranny. History offers lessons that allow us to make responsible choices for the future.
About the Author: Timothy Snyder
Timothy Snyder is a renowned historian and influential public intellectual recognized for his expertise in Eastern Europe and the history of the Second World War. His widely praised and award-winning books explore twentieth-century European history, as well as political issues surrounding the rise of tyranny in today’s world.
Snyder’s writings have been translated into over forty languages and have sparked protest movements inspired artistic expression, and contributed to music. He holds the position of Levin Professor of History and Public Affairs at Yale University and serves as the faculty advisor for the Fortunoff Archive for Holocaust Video Testimonies. Additionally, he is a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna.
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