Timothy Snyder’s book “On Tyranny” is a concise and powerful guide that draws lessons from the 20th century’s struggles against fascism, totalitarianism, and authoritarianism. The book offers practical advice for recognizing and resisting threats to democracy and freedom in modern times. This newspaper will highlight each lesson.
Lesson 1: Do Not Obey in Advance
Lesson one emphasizes the psychological and social dangers of preemptive compliance with authoritarianism. Snyder references historical authoritarian regimes, where ordinary people and institutions anticipated the wishes of tyrannical leaders and adjusted their behavior accordingly—often before being explicitly instructed to do so.
Key Points of the Lesson:
- Preemptive Obedience Enables Tyranny:
- By predicting and aligning with authoritarian demands in advance, individuals and institutions help normalize and amplify oppressive policies. Snyder writes, “Anticipatory obedience is a political tragedy.”
- This voluntary submission makes it easier for authoritarian leaders to consolidate power.
- Examples from History:
- In Nazi Germany, citizens and civil servants often acted ahead of official directives, facilitating the regime’s goals.
- Totalitarian systems frequently rely on the willingness of the populace to self-regulate or censor in alignment with perceived authority.
- Resisting Preemptive Obedience:
- Act with autonomy and critical thought rather than succumbing to fear or assumptions about what power demands.
- Uphold principles of law, fairness, and truth rather than yielding to pressures to conform.
As we prepare for the incoming white nationalist government:
- Question demands and expectations that compromise ethics or rights.
- Avoid assuming the inevitability of authoritarian outcomes; instead, challenge actions or policies that conflict with democratic values.
- Foster environments where dissent and debate are encouraged, reducing the societal tendency toward compliance.
By refusing to obey in advance, we can create friction against the mechanisms of tyranny, preserving democratic norms and individual freedoms. Snyder’s lesson is a call to proactive vigilance and moral courage in the face of creeping authoritarianism.
Milgram’s Experiment: Obedience to Authority
