585: Timothy Snyder | Twentieth-Century Lessons on Tyranny

Nov 11, 2021

Timothy Snyder, a Yale history professor and author of 'On Tyranny,' discusses the fragility of democracy and the importance of active participation to counter potential tyranny. He highlights lessons from Eastern Europe, urging listeners to recognize the terrifying parallels between past and present political landscapes. Snyder tackles media distrust, self-deception, and the allure of authoritarianism, emphasizing the need for critical consumption of information. His insights serve as a compelling reminder of the personal responsibility necessary to safeguard our freedoms.

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ADVICE

Resist Normalization

Resist normalizing authoritarian behavior.
Challenge the idea that shocking events are normal and acceptable.

INSIGHT

Obeying in Advance

Obeying in advance means anticipating what authoritarian rulers want and complying preemptively.
This can include accepting their narratives, altering your behavior, and dismissing truth.

ADVICE

Seek Truth

Don't be passive; figure things out for yourself.
Rely on investigative reporters and those whose job is to find truth.

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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].

1984

None

George Orwell

Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.

The Power of the Powerless

Václav Havel

Keane, John

Written in 1978, 'The Power of the Powerless' is a seminal essay by Václav Havel that critiques the post-totalitarian systems of Eastern Europe. The essay, which was circulated in samizdat form, argues that individuals living within such systems must 'live in truth' to challenge the pervasive lies and ideological control of the state. Havel uses the example of a greengrocer displaying a communist slogan to illustrate the mechanisms of compliance and the potential for resistance. The book, edited by John Keane, includes responses from various contributors and provides a broad spectrum of democratic opinions on freedom, power, and civil liberty under totalitarian conditions.