Timothy Snyder, a renowned historian and author of *On Tyranny*, discusses the alarming resurgence of authoritarianism in the context of Trump’s politics. He reflects on the lessons from history and emphasizes the danger of conforming to fascistic influences. By examining the interplay of money, media, and power, Snyder warns about the critical need for individual resistance and factuality in democracy. He also touches on the importance of solidarity for a truly free society and critiques Trump’s foreign policy, particularly regarding Ukraine.
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insights INSIGHT
Trump's Political Presence
American passivity about Trump stems from a belief in the durability of democracy, dismissing him as an anomaly.
However, this overlooks Trump's introduction of new political styles and approaches.
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Fascism
Trump's fascism is evident in his constant lying, particularly the big lie about winning the 2020 election.
His encouragement of violence among supporters to retain power further exemplifies this.
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Second Term
Unlike 2016, Trump now has established loyalists and a widespread belief in the big lie, enabling future actions.
His cabinet appointments, like Kash Patel for the FBI, signal a shift towards using government agencies for political persecution.
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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].
After Donald Trump was elected president in 2016, historian and professor Timothy Snyder wrote a long post on Facebook. Here's how it started:
"Americans are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism, or communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience."
Snyder went on to share twenty lessons about authoritarianism from the 20th century. They would lay the groundwork for his 2017 book On Tyranny. Fast forward to 2024, and Snyder's warnings about authoritarianism are being amplified once again.
He joins the show to look ahead to the next four years of the Trump presidency, through the lens of his latest books: the just-released On Freedom and On Tyranny.
Front Burner 
