Timothy Snyder, a Yale history professor known for his works on freedom and tyranny, teams up with Bill Adair, a Duke journalism professor focused on political deception. They dive into the erosion of truth in politics, highlighting how social media amplifies lies. Snyder critiques The Washington Post's non-endorsement decision as a sign of 'anticipatory obedience' to tyranny. The conversation emphasizes the need for accountability in journalism and warns of the psychological impact of misinformation on democracy.
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insights INSIGHT
Anticipatory Obedience
Authoritarianism thrives on compromises, often subconscious, as people adapt to power shifts.
Anticipatory obedience, like the Washington Post's non-endorsement, signals fear and empowers autocrats.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Learn from History
Be aware of historical patterns of democratic erosion to recognize current threats.
Avoid exceptionalism; acknowledge that authoritarian tactics can happen anywhere, including the U.S.
insights INSIGHT
Positive Freedom
True freedom is not just about individual liberty from government but the ability to act on values.
Focusing solely on freedom from can lead to proto-fascism and disregard for truth.
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In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age
Sasha Issenberg
The Lie Detectives presents a vivid snapshot of Democratic politics during the Trump years, focusing on how campaigns are fighting back against disinformation. The book features characters like Jiore Craig, a veteran of the misinformation wars, and notable figures such as LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman and his adviser Dmitri Mehlhorn. It delves into the strategies and challenges faced by political campaigns in a world dominated by social media and fake news.
On Freedom
Timothy Snyder
In 'On Freedom', Timothy Snyder argues that the concept of freedom has been misunderstood in modern America. He distinguishes between negative freedom (freedom from state power) and positive freedom (the freedom to thrive and take risks for chosen futures through collective effort). Snyder draws on the work of philosophers, political dissidents, and his own experiences to identify the habits of mind and practices necessary for designing a government that allows future generations to flourish. He emphasizes the importance of traditions, institutions, and a politics of abundance, generosity, and grace. The book also critiques libertarianism, exposes injustices in the penal system, and advocates for a culture of solidarity and strong government focused on human flourishing[2][3][5].
On Tyranny
Victor Gourevitch
Leo Strauss
Michael S. Roth
This book is a comprehensive analysis of Xenophon's dialogue Hiero, in which the tyrant Hiero and the poet Simonides discuss the advantages and disadvantages of exercising tyranny. The work includes a translation of the dialogue from its original Greek, Strauss's commentary on it, a critique of Strauss's commentary by Alexandre Kojève, and the complete correspondence between Strauss and Kojève. The discussion delves into the nature of tyranny, the distinction between tyrants and kings, and the philosophical implications of these concepts. The book also explores the debate between Strauss and Kojève on the role of philosophy in ruling the world and the concept of the Universal Homogenous State[1][3][5].
Beyond the Big Lie
The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy
Bill Adair
In this book, Bill Adair reveals how politicians lie and why, relying on dozens of candid interviews with politicians, political operatives, and experts in misinformation. He outlines the patterns of lying, the motivations and tactics of political liars, and the impact on people's lives. Adair also examines how Republicans have tried to change the landscape to allow their lying by intimidating the news media, academia, government, and tech companies. The book provides solutions to end American political deceit and emphasizes the importance of truth in the digital age, particularly on critical issues like climate crisis, public health, and international relations.
Lying has always been a part of politics, but in recent years, political lies have come to dominate our elections and their outcomes. Even the notion that facts and truths can be objective and shared across the political divide has been put into question. As we head into a fraught election, Kara speaks with Bill Adair, professor of journalism & public policy at Duke and author of Beyond the Big Lie, andTimothy Snyder, Yale history professor and author of On Freedom, about which party lies more; the role that social media plays in amplifying and spreading falsehoods; why it’s hard to get believers to turn away from the “Big Lie”; and why factuality is a cornerstone of freedom. Plus: Snyder calls The Washington Post’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate (dictated by owner Jeff Bezos) “anticipatory obedience” to tyranny.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find Kara on Threads/Instagram @karaswisher
On with Kara Swisher 
