On Tyranny

Resist 'Anticipatory Obedience': Don't Comply Before You're Asked

First, let's tackle a concept that sounds almost counterintuitive: Do not obey in advance.

Timothy Snyder, in his vital work "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", argues compellingly that much of the power wielded by authoritarian regimes isn't seized through force alone, but is rather freely given by ordinary citizens. This phenomenon, termed "anticipatory obedience," occurs when people preemptively adjust their behavior to align with what they *perceive* a repressive power might want, often without any direct order. Snyder describes this as a profound political tragedy because it effectively signals compliance and emboldens authorities, showing them the extent of control they can exert before they even fully articulate their demands. Understanding this concept from "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" is crucial for recognizing subtle shifts towards authoritarianism.

The historical example of the Anschluss, Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938, serves as a chilling illustration discussed in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century". While Hitler's threats were real, Snyder emphasizes that it was the Austrians' own anticipatory obedience that significantly worsened the situation, especially for Austrian Jews. Even before German control was absolute, local sympathizers, sensing the political shift, began persecuting opponents and arresting Jews. Many ordinary citizens passively observed or even participated in looting, guided by prepared lists. This spontaneous compliance, as detailed in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", demonstrated to the Nazi leadership the population's readiness for radical measures, informing subsequent atrocities like Kristallnacht.

The famous Milgram experiments at Yale provide further psychological backing for the insights in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century". Conducted to understand how ordinary people could participate in atrocities like those under the Nazis, the experiments showed a startling willingness among participants to administer seemingly harmful electric shocks to others simply because an authority figure instructed them to. Stanley Milgram's findings revealed a deep-seated human tendency to defer to authority and adapt to new, potentially harmful rules, even when conflicting with personal conscience. This echoes the core warning about obedience found in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century".

The crucial takeaway from this lesson in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" is the need for conscious resistance against the instinct to conform prematurely. When faced with new, unsettling norms or pressures, Snyder urges individuals to pause, reflect, and question. Refusing to automatically adjust behavior or silence personal doubts simply based on perceived expectations is a powerful act of defiance. Resisting that initial urge towards anticipatory obedience, as advocated in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", can significantly hinder the consolidation of repressive power and preserve individual and collective freedom.

Defend Institutions: They Don't Protect Themselves

Next up, a lesson that feels incredibly relevant today: Defend institutions.

A central theme in Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" is the active defense of societal institutions. We often take entities like the courts, the free press, established laws, and ethical codes for granted, viewing them as inherently stable. However, Snyder issues a stark warning: institutions do not protect themselves. Their resilience depends entirely on the commitment of individuals to uphold them. They can crumble sequentially unless each one is defended vigorously from the outset. "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" implores readers to actively choose an institution they value and stand by it.

Snyder, in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", highlights the disturbing, yet critical, role that educated professionals played in enabling past tyrannies. It's a misconception that regimes like the Nazis relied solely on overt violence; they crucially needed lawyers, doctors, business leaders, and civil servants to subvert the existing order from within. Figures like Hans Frank, a lawyer who became the brutal governor-general of occupied Poland, exemplify this. Lawyers were disproportionately represented among Einsatzgruppen commanders, physicians participated in horrific experiments, corporations exploited slave labor, and bureaucrats facilitated persecution through administration. This historical analysis in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" serves as a potent warning.

Crucially, these professionals often rationalized their complicity, convincing themselves that circumstances were exceptional, normal rules suspended, or that they were merely 'following orders'. However, as "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" points out, professional ethics – like the Hippocratic Oath or a lawyer's commitment to justice – are designed precisely to guide conduct during such challenging, 'exceptional' times. Had these individuals adhered strictly to their ethical codes, refusing to pervert laws or participate in atrocities, the scale of the suffering could have been significantly mitigated. "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" underscores the importance of these ethical guardrails.

The practical lesson from "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" is clear: do not allow professional identity or standards to be eroded by political pressures. Upholding the ethics of one's field, especially when difficult, is paramount. Professions create a collective buffer between the individual and potentially overreaching state power. When members view themselves as bound by shared standards, they gain collective strength. Therefore, taking a stand within your profession and defending its integrity is a direct way of defending the broader institutional framework essential for a free society, a key message from "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century".

Believe in Truth: Resisting the Slide into 'Post-Truth'

This leads directly into the tenth lesson: Believe in truth.

In what he terms an era of "post-truth," Timothy Snyder argues in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" that believing in truth is not naive but fundamentally necessary for resisting tyranny. The abandonment of truth isn't liberating; it's politically catastrophic. Without a shared basis in reality, there's no foundation upon which to critique power. Facts dissolve into mere opinions, allowing the narrative backed by the most force or repetition to prevail. Snyder's stark warning in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" is that "Post-truth is pre-fascism." To abandon facts is, ultimately, to abandon freedom itself.

Drawing from Victor Klemperer's observations during the Nazi era, "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" identifies modes through which truth decays. The first is open hostility to verifiable reality, characterized by constant, high-volume lying that overwhelms the public's ability to discern fact from fiction, making truth seem incidental. The second mode, shamanistic incantation, involves the relentless repetition of slogans and emotionally charged phrases (like those seen in modern politics) designed to bypass critical thinking, evoke feeling, and foster tribal loyalty. Recognizing these tactics, as explained in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", is the first step toward resisting them.

The third mode identified in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" is magical thinking – the open embrace of blatant contradictions. Political rhetoric promising mutually exclusive outcomes (e.g., huge tax cuts, massive spending increases, and debt elimination) requires abandoning reason. Klemperer saw people succumb to this, urging abandonment to feelings over facts. The final mode is misplaced faith: elevating a leader to a quasi-divine status where their word becomes truth, irrespective of evidence. Statements like "I alone can solve it" shift reliance from the factual to the oracular, rendering evidence irrelevant. "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" warns against these modes of thinking.

Fascist regimes historically despised the small, verifiable truths of everyday life, preferring grand, emotionally resonant myths propagated relentlessly. Believing in truth, as advocated in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", doesn't mean possessing all answers, but rather acknowledging an objective reality independent of personal desires or a leader's pronouncements. It requires valuing evidence, logical consistency, and factual reporting. This shared grounding in reality is essential to prevent societal fragmentation and manipulation. Defending the very *idea* of factual truth is a cornerstone of preserving a free society, a vital lesson from "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century".

Investigate: Figure Things Out for Yourself

Building on the belief in truth, the eleventh lesson is simple yet demanding: Investigate.

Following the imperative to believe in truth, Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" presents the demanding eleventh lesson: Investigate. This involves actively figuring things out for oneself, contrasting sharply with the passive consumption of information, particularly from screens. Snyder notes that screen-based media often provide a flat, two-dimensional view, lacking depth, context, and the full story. Simply repeating soundbites and phrases from media means accepting this lack of a larger framework. "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" encourages a more active engagement with information.

While the internet offers unprecedented access to information – an "enviable power" according to Snyder – "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" reminds us that this power comes with significant responsibility. Much online content is designed to mislead or harm, originating from foreign propaganda or domestic disinformation campaigns. It's crucial to become media literate, learning about reputable sites that investigate and expose these manipulative efforts. This vigilance is part of the investigative process advocated in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century".

Snyder, through "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", specifically champions investigative journalism. This form of journalism requires substantial resources, time, travel, source cultivation, record checking, and meticulous verification – the arduous work behind reliable reporting. In an age saturated with easy mockery and viral falsehoods, Snyder argues that genuine journalism is now the truly challenging and essential pursuit. Print journalism, in particular, allows complex stories to develop beyond fleeting screen images, providing necessary context. "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" highlights the value of this in-depth work.

The actionable advice stemming from this lesson in "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" involves personal responsibility. Support investigative work by subscribing to reputable news sources. Critically evaluate the information you consume and share, verifying facts before amplifying them. Correct misinformation constructively when encountered. Snyder draws an analogy to traffic rules – we follow them to protect others. Similarly, we have an online responsibility to maintain a healthy information environment. Being an investigative citizen, as urged by "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century", contributes to the shared understanding of reality vital for democracy. A leader hostile to investigators, Snyder warns, signals potential tyranny.

• On Tyranny warns against anticipatory obedience: Avoid adjusting behavior to please potential oppressors before being explicitly forced, as this freely grants power.
• Defend institutions: On Tyranny stresses that courts, press, laws, ethical codes, etc., require active defense by individuals to survive; choose one and support it.
• Be kind to language: Recognize its manipulation through endless repetition and slogans, a tactic detailed in On Tyranny; use precise language, think independently, and read books to resist propaganda.
• Believe in truth: Rejecting objective reality is pre-fascism, according to On Tyranny. Uphold facts and evidence against lies, contradictions, and leader worship.
• Investigate: Actively seek and verify information beyond passive screen consumption. On Tyranny advocates supporting investigative journalism as crucial for understanding.
• Small actions matter: On Tyranny highlights how eye contact, small talk, and acknowledging others build social fabric and resist dehumanization.
• Practice corporeal politics: Engage physically in public spaces—attend meetings, join peaceful protests—as real-world presence builds solidarity and counters isolation, a lesson from On Tyranny.
• Establish a private life: Protect personal information, as authoritarian regimes weaponize it. On Tyranny sees the public/private boundary as vital for freedom.
• Be a patriot, not a nationalist: On Tyranny distinguishes patriotism (lovingly holding your nation to high ideals) from nationalism (resentment-based group identity).
• Historical instruction: On Tyranny distills lessons from 20th-century totalitarianism to provide practical tools for recognizing and resisting threats to democracy today.
• Individual responsibility: The core message of On Tyranny emphasizes that freedom requires vigilance, conscious effort, and courage from ordinary citizens making daily choices.

• Individuals feeling a sense of unease about the current political climate, polarization, and the perceived fragility of democratic norms. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century directly addresses this feeling and offers historical context.
• Anyone concerned about the rise of authoritarian tendencies globally or domestically and seeking to understand how democracies can falter. The core of On Tyranny is built on historical analysis of such events.
• Citizens looking for practical, actionable advice on how to contribute to the preservation of freedom and resist undemocratic trends. Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny provides twenty specific lessons.
• People troubled by the spread of misinformation, the manipulation of language in politics, and the challenges of discerning truth in the modern media landscape. Several lessons in On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century focus explicitly on truth, language, and investigation.
• Students of history, particularly those interested in the 20th century, totalitarianism (Nazism, Stalinism), and the Holocaust, who want to see historical lessons applied to contemporary issues. On Tyranny is deeply rooted in this historical expertise.
• Professionals (lawyers, doctors, journalists, academics, business leaders, civil servants) reflecting on their ethical responsibilities in times of political pressure. On Tyranny highlights the crucial role, positive or negative, that professionals play.
• Individuals seeking to understand the psychological aspects of compliance and resistance, such as "anticipatory obedience" discussed in On Tyranny.
• Readers who believe in the importance of defending institutions like the courts, the free press, and the rule of law, and want guidance on how to support them effectively. On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century emphasizes this defence.
• People interested in the power of everyday actions – like small talk, physical presence in protests, or protecting privacy – as forms of political resistance. On Tyranny validates these seemingly small acts.
• Those wanting to understand the difference between genuine patriotism (love of country and its ideals) and harmful nationalism. On Tyranny offers a clear distinction.
• Anyone feeling overwhelmed by screen-based media and seeking encouragement to engage more deeply through reading, investigation, and real-world interaction, as advocated in On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.

In essence, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century is for engaged citizens who are concerned about the health of democracy and are looking for both intellectual frameworks and practical steps derived from historical wisdom. It serves as a vital handbook for recognizing threats and actively participating in the defense of freedom, making the insights from On Tyranny relevant to a wide audience in turbulent times. The book On Tyranny argues that vigilance and conscious action are necessary, offering lessons directly applicable today.

As Timothy Snyder argues in On Tyranny, history does not repeat, but it instructs. Learning the lessons within On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century equips readers to navigate the present.

How does Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny" explain the significance of 'Do not obey in advance'?

• Anticipatory Obedience: This refers to citizens modifying their behavior to preemptively comply with perceived future demands of an authoritarian regime, even without explicit orders.
• Enabling Tyranny: Snyder argues this voluntary compliance smooths the path for authoritarianism, as seen historically when populations self-censor or conform before being forced.
• Psychological Inertia: Obeying in advance creates a psychological pattern of submission, making future resistance harder and normalizing oppressive measures.

What role do institutions play in resisting tyranny, according to 'Defend institutions' in Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny"?

• Checks and Balances: Institutions like courts, media, and legislatures are designed to limit power and hold leaders accountable, forming structural barriers against autocratic overreach.
• Active Participation: Defending institutions requires active engagement, such as supporting independent journalism, voting, or participating in legal challenges to protect their integrity.
• Collective Resilience: Strong, independent institutions provide a framework for collective action and maintain societal norms, fostering resilience against attempts to dismantle democracy.

Why is it crucial to 'Believe in truth' as outlined by Timothy Snyder in "On Tyranny"?

• Post-Truth Politics: Snyder warns against abandoning objective reality, as tyrants thrive by manipulating facts and creating a 'post-truth' environment where lies become accepted.
• Fact-Checking: Actively seeking out, verifying, and disseminating factual information counters propaganda and disinformation campaigns used to control populations.
• Cognitive Anchoring: Believing in and seeking truth anchors individuals to reality, preventing the psychological disorientation and manipulation that authoritarian regimes exploit.

How does 'Remember professional ethics' function as a safeguard in Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny"?

• Professional Codes: Established ethical standards within professions (law, medicine, civil service) provide guidelines that can conflict with tyrannical demands, acting as a moral compass.
• Gatekeeping Role: Professionals upholding their ethics can refuse to participate in unjust actions, like lawyers defending rights or doctors refusing unethical orders, thereby hindering authoritarian consolidation.
• Moral Resistance: Adhering to professional ethics provides a powerful psychological basis for resisting immoral commands, reinforcing personal integrity and collective opposition.

What does Timothy Snyder mean by advising readers to 'Stand out' in his book "On Tyranny"?

• Nonconformity: 'Stand out' encourages individuals to resist the pressure to blend in or conform when norms shift towards authoritarianism or injustice.
• Symbolic Action: Simple acts of nonconformity, like displaying a symbol or speaking differently, can break the illusion of universal consent and inspire others.
• Courage Contagion: Witnessing acts of individual courage can psychologically empower others to overcome fear and join in resistance, creating a ripple effect.

According to "On Tyranny" by Timothy Snyder, why must we 'Listen for dangerous words'?

• Semantic Manipulation: Tyrannical regimes often use specific language—extremism, emergency, exception—to normalize violence, justify oppression, and demonize opponents.
• Historical Precedent: Recognizing these patterns of speech, which have historically preceded atrocities, serves as an early warning system for political decay.
• Critical Awareness: Heightened sensitivity to dangerous language fosters critical thinking and prevents the psychological numbing that allows harmful ideologies to take root.

How does Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny" suggest that to 'Establish a private life' is a form of resistance?

• Autonomy Sphere: Maintaining personal relationships, private thoughts, and activities outside state control creates a sphere of individual autonomy resistant to totalitarian intrusion.
• Information Control: By limiting the information shared publicly and cultivating private spaces, individuals hinder the state's ability to monitor and control every aspect of life.
• Psychological Refuge: A private life provides a psychological refuge, preserving individuality and mental freedom from the constant pressure of public conformity demanded by tyranny.

What is the practical application of the advice to 'Be calm when the unthinkable arrives' in Timothy Snyder's "On Tyranny"?

• Crisis Response: This advises maintaining composure and rational thought during moments of political shock or crisis, such as staged emergencies or sudden power grabs.
• Avoiding Manipulation: Events like terrorist attacks or Reichstag Fire-style incidents are often exploited to curtail freedoms; calmness allows for critical assessment rather than panicked reaction.
• Preserving Agency: Staying calm prevents emotional hijacking and preserves one's capacity for independent judgment and deliberate action, countering the fear tyrants seek to instill.