On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder (PDF)

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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “bracing” (Vox) guide for surviving and resisting America’s turn towards authoritarianism, from “a rising public intellectual unafraid to make bold connections between past and present” (The New York Times) “Timothy Snyder reasons with unparalleled clarity, throwing the past and future into sharp relief. He has written the rare kind of book that can be read in one sitting but will keep you coming back to help regain your bearings.”—Masha GessenThe Founding Fathers tried to protect us from the threat they knew, the tyranny that overcame ancient democracy. Today, our political order faces new threats, not unlike the totalitarianism of the twentieth century. We 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.On Tyranny is a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come.

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⭐*Timothy Snyder challenges us to recognize 21st century parallels to the 20th century precursors of tyranny, capable of transforming a once vibrant democracy into a failed republic, thereby creating a void to be filled by an authoritarian despot. In such an environment, an extreme brand of nationalism is preached to the masses, while a global perspective becomes the enemy of patriotism.Lesson 1*Resignation to the inevitability of authoritarianism is tantamount to complicity. Despots, in their quest for a totalitarian regime, view such acceptance as a mandate. There is a cascading spirit of blatant chauvinism, leading to wanton persecution directed against the marginalized and targets of the government. The bar for toleration of egregious behavior is lowered repeatedly and with impunity.*Hitler is a prototypical example of a charismatic, authoritative, and mesmerizing personality capable of inciting a crowd to fever pitch in an unflinching willingness to do his bidding. Personal responsibility and temperance is sacrificed at the altar of the messianic deliverer, who is accorded unmitigated homage. The sobering takeaway from Stanley Milgram’s Yale experiment, on the limits to which an authority figure could influence the actions of his followers, supports the thesis that no discrete civilization has a monopoly on the capacity or inclination to inflict harm on humanity, extrapolating that what occured in Germany under Hitler could happen in America, given similar circumstances.Lesson 2*Democratic institutions, the foundational infrastructure of a viable democracy, rather than functioning as self sustaining entities, are dependent upon support from a sympathetic citizenry. The Jewish experience in Nazi Germany witnesses that trusting an authoritarian government to temper or forestall its threats to dismantle or nullify traditional democratic institutions is pollyanaish thinking and potentially fatal. For, as was the case with the Nazis, some institutions that were originally designed to promote the common welfare, were radically transformed into antagonistic appendages of the state.Lesson 3*We must be ever vigilant in recognizing and neutralizing the conditions that precipitate a one-party state. Our greatest threat comes from within, paradoxically deriving from those who, in the exercise of their guaranteed freedoms, would exploit said rights in denying like liberties to fellow citizens. These movements, often cloaked in a specious legitimacy, gain momentum imperceptibly over a period of time, during which they evolve into a formidable foe of democracy. Once they assume power, with an insatiable appetite to exert unilateral control, their entrenchment becomes all too apparent to those who underestimated their staying power. America’s allowance of the unlimited funneling of money into the political arena has resulted in a party, favored by a minority of Americans, exercising undue influence in the legislation and enforcement of laws.Lesson 4*The resurrection of symbols of hate from another era should not be dismissed, but should be confronted in the context of the egregious acts for which they have historically been associated. Caricature, recrimination, epithets, and slander are weapons of attack against real and perceived adversaries. In WW2 Germany, the Nazi propaganda machine branded Jews as enemies of the state, while fixating on the superiority of the Aryan race. The swastika was worn as a symbol of loyalty to the fuhrer, while the yellow star became a badge of degradation and dehumanization. With the global proliferation of neo-nazis this century, the swastika has resurfaced to incite belligerant crowds to fever pitch. Ironically, “Old Glory” has been commandeered as a populist banner to the rallying cry; “Make America Great Again”. In contemporary America, perhaps the most disquieting symbol registering the threat of anarchy is that of the white hooded supremacist blatantly hoisting the flag of the Confederacy.Lesson 5*Tyranny is abetted by collusion from both the public and private sectors. In such a scenario, the following of laws and regulations becomes an arbitrary and highly subjective exercise. Adherence to professional ethics is routinely and cavalierly sacrificed to the dictates of a nefarious agenda. Ethical consciousness becomes distorted to the extent that the exception to precedent becomes the norm.Lesson 6*Be apprehensive of self styled militias who equate allegiance to an individual with loyalty to one’s country. In Nazi Germany, the SS functioned; (1) to serve as Hitler’s security detail, (2) to intimidate rivals of the party, and (3) to oversee and patrol Jewish concentration camps. Whether Germany during Naziism or America in the era of Trumpism, martialism foments extreme nationalism, branding the opposition as unpatriotic, while respectively echoing chants of “heil Hitler” or “USA”. The inevitability in Nazi Germany, and the threat to a divided America, is that militant autonomous groups are capable of both infiltrating, recruiting, and ultimately transforming the military and police.Lesson 7*Historically, despots have relied on the military and police to tilt the balance of power in their favor. In each Instance, without such collaboration the illicit transfer of power could not have succeeded. In the wholesale execution of Jews, ordered by the Nazi high command, there can be no absolution of guilt by those who were merely “ following orders”. Alas, conscience is the ultimate judge. Unfortunately, in Germany’s darkest hour, a herd mentality preempted the individual will for nonconformity.Lesson 8*An individual, who is willing to defy the status quo in overt rebellion against an oppressive system, can serve as a catalyst for change. Such bold resistance is in stark contrast to the subservience of the majority. WWII Europe witnessed the capitulation of large swaths of its population falling under the foot of the German juggernaut. It was against the backdrop of this formidable setting that Winston Churchill stepped into history. Rather than perpetuate the appeasement policy of his predecessor, Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister Churchill opted to confront Adolph Hitler at every juncture. His equanimity, in the face of aerial bombardments on British soil, ultimately secured public sentiment and parliamentary support for the war effort. If England had yielded to the continuous German onslaught, today’s world map would be of a significantly more totalitarian hue. Yet, during her darkest hour, when defeat seemed inevitable, Churchill transformed the will of the English people. Against all odds, she mustered the resolve to resist the Luftwaffe until the Americans and Soviets joined the Alliance.*Poland was no match for the superior German military. Teresa Prekerowa witnessed the prevalence with which Polish Gentiles abandoned their Jewish neighbors. At great risk to herself, she was instrumental in a Jewish family escaping the ghetto, evading certain death. Years later, as a Holocaust historian, this unassuming liberator deflected questions concerning her role by simply stating it was the normal thing to do.Lesson 9*Tyranny gorges off platitudes and patriotic banalites. Populists exercise a bully pulpit to indoctrinate the masses with incitable catchphrases. Whereas, in Nazi Germany, censorship effectively muted the independent press, in 21st century America, exploiting the 24 hour news cycle, the authoritarian gains traction by spinning the truth via social media and sympathetic cable news outlets. Given the entertainment factor, demanded by an insatiable viewership, televised political coverage is little more than a steady diet of hyperbole. Yesterday’s fiction (“Fahrenheit 451”, “1984”) , with the authoritarian’s propensity to both suppress legitimate viewpoints and surveil its adversaries, could very well become tomorrow’s reality. In such a world, propaganda serves as the people’s opiate, supplanting the public forum for dipassionate and unbiased reporting. In our generational obsession with bits and bytes, and its peripherals’ causation of sensory overload, we have compromized our ability for reading discrimination, engaged by the tactile sensation and singular focus from manually absorbing a book. The public marketplace is amply stocked with printed accounts, both historic and contemporary, addressing the tensions existing between established democracies and potential totalitarianisms. While humility and inclusion are basic elements of democracy, totalitarianism agitates for its antithesis of hubris and exclusion.Lesson 10*Tyranny obscures truth by spinning it through the propaganda mill. Reality is denied for the sake of personal fantasy, leading to self delusion. The tyrant inhabits an alternative world of falsehoods and lies. Slanderous epithets, aimed at his adversaries, is spread for consumption, as manna among the masses. Fact becomes fiction, and vice versa. A malady of extreme confirmation bias has a blinding effect on those who fall under the spell of the wizard of deceit. Faith in the self annointed savior is totally implicit, transcending an otherwise undeniable reality. Converts are ever ready to proselytize among the innocent and naive with an evangelical zeal. While the spider spins his web of mind control, the trap is set for the paranoid, unwitting, and unassuming. Meanwhile, all true believers faithfully self inject with the misinformation and disinformation anti-truth serums. The dystopia that played out in fascist Germany should serve as a forewarning to 21st century America.Lesson 11*While retrieval of information has never been as accessible, neither has exposure to misinformation. Never before has the reliance on fact checking been as critical, particularly at all levels of government. One of the early casualties under totalitarianism is the free press, which is supplanted by a state friendly, apocryphal coverage of the news. The truth becomes manipulated and massaged beyond recognition.*It can be said that, as a nation, we have become anesthetized to the machinations and bizarre behavior of an impostor, who was once entrusted with the keys to the highest office in the land. Reputable journalists, writing for national publications have, in holding him accountable, upheld the integrity of the fourth estate. Yet newsrooms across America are strapped financially, operating on a shoestring budget. In a totalitarian government, which, given our political climate, is a foreseeable possibility, dissident writers are forced underground.*It is incumbent on those of us who wish to preserve our democracy to judiciously restrict our news sources to trusted reporters, journalists, and authors who are tethered to the truth, and have an abiding commitment to journalistic ethics. Otherwise, we can easily fall prey to an addictive internet/social media scene of perpetual slander, caricature, and recrimination, where truth is irrelevant.Lesson 12*Acknowledging the common humanity of others with whom you cross paths is a sign of empathy, and may pay dividends should you need someone in whom to place trust during uncertain times. Scores of Jews who escaped Nazi Germany and Poland bear witness to the light of others shining through the darkness. Remembering the old adage; “You can never have too many friends”, just might parlay into a life preserver during widespread persecution.Lesson 13*Successful movements share in common a visible, boots on the ground presence that simply cannot be replicated online. A heterogeneous conflation of flesh and blood, representing a diversity of demographics, brings legitimacy to the people’s cause. A common purpose begats a coalition of like minds, and breeds an empathy, giving rise to a camaraderie that otherwise would never have existed between such disparate groups. Within these movements, relationships are formed, and bonds are strengthened, and our democracy is all the stronger for it. In order to safeguard our freedoms, we should never take for granted, nor shall we ever yield our right to assemble.Lesson 14*Be discreet with your communications, and be aware that a 21st century version of McCarthysm would be ever more sophisticated than during the “Red Scare” era, due largely to the sweeping advances in technology.*Under totalitarianism, a targeted individual’s privacy is blatantly compromised at the behest of the state.*We have witnessed, by virtue of the 2016 election cycle machinations, that when words are taken out of context, the source can become the victim of damaging innuendo.*For legions of our fellow citizens, truth has become the latest casualty, as they await, with whetted appetite, the next conspiracy theory.*Pressuring journalists to jeopardize confidential news sources does not reflect well on a democratically controlled free press.*We must not become sidetracked by the latest sensational news feed, but rather filter our journalism sources through the lens of credibility.Lesson 15*We are challenged to support worthwhile altruistic causes with both our time and financial resources. In so doing, we are making a long term investment in our democracy. We would be wise to allocate that investment in organizations showing a high yield in the human welfare. We receive an added dividend by being exposed to others who share our commitment for giving back a portion of that which we have been blessed. Lastly, we are perpetuating our democracy by participating in the basic democratic freedom of association.Lesson 16*Americans need to be aware that the global shift toward totalitarianism poses an existential threat to our democracy. While election pundits in America were flummoxed by the results of the 2016 election, their peers in Eastern Europe recognized a familiar trend of a candidate building momentum by exploiting a populist movement. And, while Russian propaganda efforts served as a distraction to the Clinton campaign, Trump’s, by default, appeared to gain leverage. In order to salvage her democracy, it is incumbent on America to show a willingness to learn from those who have resisted totalitarianism in their sphere of the world.Lesson 17*During the era of Trump, “Make America Great Again” and “America First” are both rallying cries employed to rev up his base. The implication is that America, in losing her sense of priorities, has indeed lost her way, and is in desperate need of a political savior. Voting rights, undermined by the imposition of an unconscionable set of conditions aimed at targeted demographics, is an early casualty of authoritarian rule. The Republican Party, in its craven display of submission to an autocrat, while seeking political security in currying his favor, have waived the freedom to seek compromise and reconciliation with the opposition party. In a twist of irony, the Democratic Party, the party of diversity and inclusion, is portrayed as the party of elitism, one that would sabotage individual freedom and security via legislation for gun control and mask mandates.Lesson 18*In America, a manifest tyrant would claim dispensation from unsympathetic legal rulings on the contested 2020 election results, going so far as to attempt to orchestrate a plan in which his vice president would null the tabulated results, essentially handing him the presidency. Unwilling to accept defeat, he manufactured a state of emergency, in which his supporters participated in an attempted coup. The impact of the former president eschewing the nation’s traditional peaceful transition of power, is that it has resulted in millions of its citizens refusing to recognize the legitimacy of the current administration. Such has bred widespread distrust of the electoral process. All the while, the wizard behind the curtains pulls the strings.*Donald Trump’s mishandling of the Black Lives Matter protests could have come straight out of the Vladimir Putin playbook. These two had danced together early on in The Trump Administration, much to the chagrin of such as General Jim Mattis, General Mark Milley and others. While Putin’s resume bleeds a deep red with acts of terrorism, Trump is a logical and apt protege. They share a lack of empathy, to the extent of a disdain and contempt for the downtrodden and marginalized, facilitating a rationale for terrorism. Mentor and mentee, each has endorsed conspiracy theories villifying Muslims and Antifa respectively. Perceived enemies become scapegoats to be sacrificed on the altar of misanthropy.*Has the terrorism we witnessed on January 6, 2021 done irreparable harm to our democracy? The answer may very well be informed by our preference between acquiescence and resolution.Lesson 19*What wii we bequeath as our legacy to future generations? Those who hoisted the “stars and stripes” on January 6, 2021 as they trespassed on the hallowed ground that is our nation’s capitol, will be remembered, not as patriots, but as insurrectionists bent on destroying our precious democracy. Their supreme leader has sealed his fate in history as the antithesis of what the office of the United States Presidency represents. He has personified the image of the “ugly American” and imprinted its facsimile on millions of his disciples. He falsely equates patriotism with nationlism. The late clergyman and social justice advocate, William Sloane Coffin, was of a different persuasion: “Let us resolve to be patriots always, nationalists never. Let us love our country, but pledge allegiance to the earth and to the flora and fauna and human life that it supports – one planet indivisible, with clean air,… soil and water; with liberty, justice and peace for all.” Either our democracy will perish, resulting from the insularity of nationalism, or she will awaken to the vision of a global perspective, so critical to a 21st century world of interdependence.Lesson 20*Death in the cause of freedom is infinitely more liberating than life under tyranny.Epilogue*History teaches us that liberty is ever evolving, dynamic rather than static, and must be nourished in order to survive challenges from both without and within. A national complacency and collective malaise has blinded us to the signals that our liberty is in jeopardy. We unwittingly developed a laissez faire attitude that American democracy would teleologically persevere autonomously on its own merits. In losing sight of the historical vulnerability of republics, we imagined our democracy as a singular destiny, unique in its perpetuity. We found reassurance in the politics of inevitability, an affirmation of the transcendence of democracy. We are discovering that democracy is not self perpetuating, rather she requires constant manipulation and reinforcement. We must be better stewards of the freedom entrusted to us by our forebears.*Eternity politics is representative of the Trump era, a flattering view of an American past, a longing for an illusionary America, championed by those who are in denial of her camouflaged flaws. Racism, homophobia, xenophobia, patriarchy were all prevalent in this idealized America. While much progress has been made, the residual stench of bias is yet with us. A retrospective sense of entitlement breeds a paranoia of victimization, and sanctuary is sought in the imaginary grandeur of the past. In contemporary America, Donald Trump is envisaged by the masses as the conduit to the fantasized utopia. They will unreservedly do his bidding, as witnessed by the events of January 6th.* History will guide us with greater proficiency than either inevitability or eternity politics. History teaches us that democracy is neither guaranteed for the future nor married to the past. Yet, there is still time to salvage our democracy if we but heed the lessons of history.

⭐BOOK REVIEW | NON FICTIONDiscover What Threatens Democracy to Preserve ItBy GUILLERMO BRUNO | FEB. 4, 2017ON TYRANNY: TWENTY LESSONS FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY by Timothy Snyder (New York: Tim Duggan Books, 2017), 126 pp.This book “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century” by Timothy Snyder took inspiration from the outcome of the 2016 United States presidential election. Snyder, a professor of History at Yale, informs us that if we want to keep democracy, we must learn to find its weaknesses and threats to act accordingly. Since democracy does not protect itself, preserving it is a constant job which requires us to get involved, to be determined to defend our rights and to fight for the values we believe in and care for. In the twentieth century, there are several examples where democracy served as a means to allow totalitarian regimes –such as Nazism, Fascism, and Communism– to accede to power. This book reminds us that those regimes have inflicted mankind untold sufferings. However, as Maya Angelou says “… History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again…” Therefore, read this book. But first, let me explore some of these lessons to support my conclusion.The author recalls that after the German elections of 1932, which allowed Adolf Hitler to form his government, the next step was “anticipatory obedience,” but what does “anticipatory obedience” mean? When a new situation appears, rather than questioning and resisting it, people accept it voluntarily, it is an act of submission to both the new situation and its leaders. This behavior is a political tragedy, so “do not obey in advance.” Institutions do not protect themselves; they need us to defend them. Assuming that the rulers who came to power through institutions cannot destroy the same institutions that allowed them to be in power is a big mistake; thus “defend institutions.” Supporting the multi-party system is a must. In a democracy, there is no room for political parties that suppress their rivals or make life impossible to their opponents; therefore “beware the one-party state.” If you see swastikas or other signs of hatred, do not be indifferent; on the contrary, remove them yourself and give an example so that others do the same. That is why we must “take responsibility for the face of the world.” “After Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Hitler’s personal lawyer, Hans Frank, became the governor-general of occupied Poland.” In those days, the regime murdered millions of Jews and other Polish citizens. A new regime always needs professionals. If a professional “confuses his ethics with the emotions of the moment, he can find himself doing things that previously he might have thought unimaginable;” again “remember professional ethics.” Armed groups degrade a political order and then transform it. Violent groups such as the “Iron Guard” in Romania or the “Arrow Cross” in Hungary used to intimidate their rivals. The Nazi Party had paramilitaries such as the SA and the SS. People and parties who wish to undermine democracy and the rule of law create violent organizations; hence “be wary of paramilitaries.” Do not obey immoral orders and those that are against your conscience, your principles or values. Authoritarian regimes usually have a “special riot police force” to disperse citizens who seek to protest, and a “secret state police force” whose assignments include the murder of dissenters or others designated as “enemies.” The NKVD in the Soviet Union of 1937-38 or the SS in the Nazi Germany of 1941-45 were forces of the latter kind involved in the great atrocities of the twentieth century. In both cases, they counted on police forces and soldiers. For these facts, “be reflective if you must be armed.” It may seem strange to do or say something different, but without that reaction to oppression, there is no freedom. Remember Rosa Parks. The moment you set a precedent, the status quo is broken and others will follow your example; so “stand out.” Professor Snyder devotes several of his lessons to think of the power of small decisions in the face of eroding democracy. “The minor choices we make are themselves a kind of vote,” he argues. “Our words and gestures, or their absence, count very much.” Make an effort to separate yourself from the Internet and read good books. Learn to discern, to know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, fair and unfair and their consequences. By and large, totalitarian regimes distort the scope and content of words and expressions. We find a clear example of this in Hitler’s language; then “be kind to our language.” “To ignore the facts is to abandon freedom.” If nothing is true, no one can criticize power because there is no basis upon which to do so, thus “believe in truth.” “Figure things out for yourself… The person who investigates is also the citizen who builds. The leader who dislikes the investigators is a potential tyrant,” so “investigate.” The author encourages us to “make eye contact and small talk,” it is part of being a citizen. “People who were living in fear of repression remembered how their neighbors treated them.” The author calls for a “corporeal politics,” this implies “voting with paper ballots that can be counted and recounted; face-to-face interaction and not email; marching not online petitioning.” “Power wants your body softening in your chair and your emotions dissipating on a screen. Get outside. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people.” According to Hannah Arendt, totalitarianism was not the creation of an all-powerful state, but “the erasure of the difference between public and private life”. “We are free if we exercise control over what people know about us and how they come to know it”. That is why we have to “establish a private life.” Hitler’s language explicitly undermined all and any opposition. “The people” always meant “some people and not others;” “encounters” were always “struggles” and any attempt by free people to understand the world in a different way was “defamation” of the leader; so “listen for dangerous words.” The Founding Father designed the United States political system “to mitigate the consequences of its real imperfections, not to celebrate its imaginary perfection,” so “be calm when the unthinkable arrives.” Today, “Americans… are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to Fascism, Nazism, or Communism in the twentieth century.” The only advantage the American System has is that it might learn from their experiences of the past. However, if everything becomes against democracy, “be as courageous as you can.”In conclusion, I highly recommend “On Tyranny…,” a brief, clear, and a concise work based on history and impregnated with multiple solutions for the differences of today. Perhaps, it is high time we read again “Democracy in America” by Alexis de Tocqueville. It was he who after seeing the failed attempts at democratic government in his native France, visited America and studied its stable and prosperous democracy to gain insights into how it worked… In the unlikeliest of places, hope and reconciliation can still be found.Guillermo BrunoGuillermo Bruno was born in Argentina. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the School of Legal Sciences, Universidad del Salvador (USAL), and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Air and Space Law from the Instituto Nacional de Derecho Aeronáutico y Espacial (INDAE). He is a professor of law, a legal writer, a defender of animal rights, and a songwriter.RECENSIÓN DE LIBRO | NO FICCIÓN | ESPAÑOLDescubre lo que amenaza a la democracia para preservarlaPor GUILLERMO BRUNO | FEB. 4, 2017SOBRE LA TIRANÍA: VEINTE LECCIONES DEL SIGLO VEINTE de Timothy Snyder (New York: Tim Duggan Books, 2017), 126 pp.Este libro “Sobre la tiranía: veinte lecciones del siglo XX” de Timothy Snyder se inspiró en el resultado de las elecciones presidenciales de Estados Unidos de 2016. Snyder, un profesor de Historia en Yale, nos informa que si queremos mantener la democracia, debemos aprender a encontrar sus debilidades y amenazas para actuar en consecuencia. Como la democracia no se protege a sí misma, preservarla es un trabajo constante que requiere que nos involucremos, que estemos decididos a defender nuestros derechos y a luchar por los valores en los que creemos. En el siglo XX, hay varios ejemplos en los que la democracia sirvió como medio para permitir que los regímenes totalitarios -como el nazismo, el fascismo y el comunismo- accedieran al poder. Este libro nos recuerda que esos regímenes han infligido a la humanidad sufrimientos indecibles. Sin embargo, como dice Maya Angelou “… La historia, pese a su desgarrador dolor, no puede ser desandada, pero si se la enfrenta con coraje, no es necesario volver a repetirla…” Por lo tanto, lee este libro. Pero primero, déjame explorar algunas de estas lecciones para avalar mi conclusión.El autor recuerda que después de las elecciones alemanas de 1932, que le permitieron a Adolfo Hitler formar su gobierno, el siguiente paso fue la “obediencia anticipatoria”, pero ¿qué significa “obediencia anticipada”? Cuando aparece una nueva situación, en lugar de cuestionarla y resistirla, las personas la aceptan voluntariamente, es un acto de sumisión tanto a la nueva situación como a sus líderes. Este comportamiento es una tragedia política, por lo que “no obedezcas de antemano”. Las instituciones no se protegen a sí mismas; ellas necesitan que las defendamos. Asumir que los gobernantes que llegaron al poder a través de las instituciones no pueden destruirlas es un gran error; por lo tanto, “defiende las instituciones”. Apoyar el sistema multipartidario es imprescindible. En una democracia, no hay lugar para que los partidos políticos supriman a sus rivales o les hagan la vida imposible a sus oponentes; por lo tanto, “ten cuidado con el Estado de partido único”. Si ves esvásticas u otras señales de odio, no seas indiferente; por el contrario, quítalas tú mismo y sé en un ejemplo para que otros te imiten. Es por esto que debemos “asumir responsabilidad ante el mundo”. “Después de que Alemania invadió Polonia en 1939, el abogado personal de Hitler, Hans Frank, se convirtió en el gobernador general de la Polonia ocupada”. En aquellos días, el régimen asesinó a millones de judíos y otros ciudadanos polacos. Un nuevo régimen siempre necesita profesionales. Si un profesional “confunde su ética con las emociones del momento, puede encontrarse a sí mismo haciendo cosas que antes podría haber pensado inimaginables”, entonces “recuerda la ética profesional”. Los grupos armados degradan un orden político y luego lo transforman. Grupos violentos como la “Guardia de Hierro” en Rumania o la “Cruz de la Flecha” en Hungría solían intimidar a sus rivales. El Partido Nazi tenía paramilitares como las SA y las SS. Las personas y los partidos que desean socavar la democracia y el estado de derecho crean organizaciones violentas; por lo tanto, “desconfía de los paramilitares”. No obedezca las órdenes inmorales y aquellas que están en contra de tu conciencia, tus principios o valores. Los regímenes autoritarios generalmente tienen una “fuerza antidisturbios especial” para dispersar a los ciudadanos que pretenden protestar, y una “fuerza policial estatal secreta” cuyas asignaciones incluyen el asesinato de disidentes u otros designados como “enemigos”. El NKVD en la Unión Soviética de 1937-38 o las SS en la Alemania nazi de 1941-45 fueron fuerzas de este último tipo, involucradas en las grandes atrocidades del siglo XX. En ambos casos, contaron con fuerzas policiales y soldados. Para estos hechos, “reflexiona si debes estar armado”. Puede parecer extraño hacer o decir algo diferente, pero sin esa reacción a la opresión, no hay libertad. Recuerda a Rosa Parks. En el momento en que estableces un precedente, el status quo se rompe y otros seguirán tu ejemplo; así que “destácate”. El profesor Snyder dedica varias de sus lecciones a pensar en el poder de las pequeñas decisiones frente a la erosión de la democracia. “Las elecciones menores que hacemos son en sí mismas una especie de voto”, argumenta. “Nuestras palabras y gestos, o su ausencia cuentan mucho”. Haz un esfuerzo para separarte de Internet y lee buenos libros. Aprende a discernir, a conocer la diferencia entre lo correcto y lo incorrecto, lo bueno y lo malo, lo justo y lo injusto y sus consecuencias. En general, los regímenes totalitarios distorsionan el alcance y contenido de las palabras y expresiones. Encontramos un claro ejemplo de esto en el lenguaje de Hitler; luego “sé amable con nuestro lenguaje”. “Ignorar los hechos es abandonar la libertad”. Si nada es verdad, nadie puede criticar al poder porque no hay ninguna base sobre la cual hacerlo, por lo tanto, “cree en la verdad”. “Descubre las cosas por ti mismo… La persona que investiga también es el ciudadano que construye. El líder a quien no le gustan los investigadores es un potencial tirano, entonces “investiga”. El autor nos alienta a “hacer contacto visual y hablar en voz baja”, es parte de ser un ciudadano. “Las personas que vivían con miedo a la represión recordaban cómo las trataban sus vecinos”. El autor exige una “política corpórea”, ella implica “votar con boletas de papel que se puedan contar y volver a contar, interactuar cara a cara y no al correo electrónico”; hay que marchar, no peticionar en línea. “El poder quiere que tu cuerpo se suavice en tu silla y tus emociones se disipen en una pantalla. Sal afuera. Pon tu cuerpo en lugares desconocidos, con personas desconocidas”. Según Hannah Arendt, el totalitarismo no fue la creación de un estado todopoderoso, sino “la eliminación de la diferencia entre la vida pública y la privada”. “Somos libres si ejercemos control sobre lo que la gente sabe de nosotros y cómo llegan a conocerlo”. Es por eso que tenemos que “establecer una vida privada”. El lenguaje de Hitler socavó explícitamente toda oposición. “La gente” siempre significaba “algunas personas y no otras”; “encuentros” siempre eran “luchas” y cualquier intento por parte de las personas libres de entender el mundo de otra manera era “difamación” al líder; de modo que “escucha las palabras peligrosas”. Los Padres Fundadores diseñaron el sistema político de Estados Unidos “para mitigar las consecuencias de sus imperfecciones reales, no para celebrar su perfección imaginaria”, así que “mantén la calma cuando llegue lo impensable”. Hoy, “los estadounidenses… no son más sabios que los europeos que vieron a la democracia rendirse ante el fascismo, el nazismo o el comunismo en el siglo XX.” La única ventaja que tiene el sistema estadounidense es que podría aprender de sus experiencias del pasado. Sin embargo, si todo se vuelve en contra de la democracia, “sé tan valiente como puedas”.En conclusión, recomiendo “Sobre la tiranía…”, un trabajo breve, claro y conciso basado en la historia e impregnado de múltiples soluciones para superar las diferencias del hoy. Tal vez, sea hora de releer “La democracia en América” de Alexis de Tocqueville. Fue él quien después de ver los intentos fallidos de los gobiernos democráticos en su Francia natal, visitó Estados Unidos y estudió esa democracia estable y próspera para obtener información sobre cómo funcionaba… En el lugar menos probable, la esperanza y la reconciliación aún pueden encontrarse.Guillermo BrunoGuillermo Bruno nació en Argentina. Es abogado, egresado de la Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas de la USAL (Universidad del Salvador) y realizó un posgrado en la Especialización en Derecho Aeronáutico y Espacial en el INDAE (Instituto Nacional de Derecho Aeronáutico y Espacial). Es profesor de derecho, escritor, defensor del derecho de los animales y autor y compositor.

⭐Timothy Snyder is professor of history at Yale and the author of several award-winning books, including ‘Bloodlands’ and ‘Black Earth.’ He has made the study of how tyrannies systematically dismantle established democratic government stage-by-stage his specialist subject and has become a leading thinker on the methods of autocracy as practiced through the past century, especially in Europe.This brief 128-page book is a guide for the responsible citizen to help maintain their democratic society’s institutions and norms in the age of rising authoritarian populism, in 20 short chapters with titles like ‘Beware the One-Party State’, ‘Remember Professional Ethics’ and ‘Believe in Truth.’ Snyder illustrates each chapter with examples from history of how autocrats took control in stages in Nazi Germany, Stalinist Russia and communist states in eastern Europe such as Czechoslovakia and Poland.The writing is punchy, literate and of impressive brevity. There may be little new here for the intelligent and history-aware reader, but Snyder nevertheless reveals some gems: an explanation of the autocratic practice of ‘terror management’; the mechanism of how ‘truth dies in four modes’ (i.e. stages, each with a name and defining characteristics), and the subtle but important differences between a narrative based on “the politics of inevitability” and one firmly rooted in “the politics of eternity”; both are essentially ahistorical, but the latter far more dangerous.Some reviewers claim the book is about Donald Trump as president. In fact, Trump is hardly mentioned and this book is not about Trump as president per se, but about principled actions each citizen might undertake to support democracy in the face of those in power who would seek to undermine or destroy it. If many of these calls to action are more pertinent in the age of Trumpism, the timing of the book’s publication may be no coincidence.In his chapter on how nationalism is different to patriotism, the author explains that a nationalist fooled by an aspiring autocrat/tyrant ‘will say “it can’t happen here”, which is the first step to disaster. A patriot says that it could happen here, but that we will stop it.’

⭐It is often quite clear when there is a dictatorship, when tyranny has taken over, when there is no free speech, and people live in fear of the government. What is not always clear, is how the country got to that point. Say, there was a military coup, or invasion or other revolutionary take-over, with guns and violence – then yes, that is how the dictatorship came into being. One day free – the next in chains. But many dictatorships start slowly, and insidiously. The rights of citizens and the freedoms that everyone has taken for granted disappear one by one, until one day the citizens wake up and it is too late – the dictatorship has already taken firm hold. This book is a warning against the latter case. It gives twenty markers of tyranny in its infancy – twenty changes to identify and oppose.The book was published primarily in response to the presidency of Trump, but also in response to the many populist and far-right movements that seem to be springing up all over the globe. Trump is not a dictator, and there is every possibility that he will get bored and go away of his own volition, but the precedents that he is setting in his time in office are already starting to erode American – and indeed world – democracy: the aggressive nationalism, the cries of ‘fake news’, the demonising of minority groups, foreigners and experts, … If Trump goes, will that necessarily mean a return to sanity and a free country? Or will the damage already done be too deep? What could come next?Likewise, in Britain a populist movement encouraged by lies, misdirection and a vain hope that any change will be better than the status quo, has lumbered us with an ill-conceived Brexit that will damage the country for at least decades to come – economically and spiritually. As Remoaners, we, who oppose Brexit, are daily, forcefully reminded that ‘the PEOPLE have spoken’, and that it is undemocratic to question the WILL OF THE PEOPLE. There is talk of there being riots and civil war if the WILL OF THE PEOPLE is not obeyed. Unfortunately, nobody actually knows what the will of the people is, apart from a nebulous desire of 38% of the potential voting public to leave the EU – but not how nor why we should leave.Two quotes I particularly liked were: “To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true then no-one can criticize power”, and “A nationalist will say ‘it can’t happen here’, which is the first step towards disaster. A patriot says that it could happen here, but that we will stop it.” To oppose tyranny requires many, many people being aware of the danger signs and acting on them.I am reminded of a poem by Pastor Niemöller, who was imprisoned in Dachau:First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a socialist.Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a trade unionist.Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.I only have one problem with the book. It perpetuates the myth that “When Winston Churchill became prime minister in 1940, Great Britain was alone”. NO IT WAS NOT. It was fully backed by the Commonwealth: New Zealand, Australia, Canada, India, and many African and Pacific nations, … That is not to forget the Free French under de Gaulle, the large remnants of the Polish military stationed in Britain, and the resistance movements across Europe. Winston Churchill was an imposing and inspirational leader – but he was never alone, and neither should anyone be, who is fighting against tyranny in all its guises.The book is well-written and very thought-provoking. It needs to be widely read and acted on, but – as one other reviewer pointed out, the people who most need to read this book, probably won’t. It is a call to watchfulness and a reminder of the dangers of apathy.

⭐What an odd little book. For a bestseller, by an apparently well-known writer, this is just bizarre. A few chapters in, it goes down a rabbit hole and works on the assumption that anyone reading it will be both American and a hater of Trump. (I’m British and I’m appalled by Donald Trump). I’m not an American citizen and I don’t understand why a book on a subject of (supposedly) global appeal would address me as an American. And then there’s the author’s belief that there is a ‘conspiracy’ to make people spend more time on the internet. What? This book is a step into bizarro world, although some of the inferences pulled from history are valid.

⭐I bought this book on the recommendation of Jane Elliott, after seeing her talk about the devastation of racism and prejudice. You can see her on YouTube and her legendary blue eyes/brown eyes experiments. This is one of the most important books that I have ever read. As I type this, it is June 2020, Trump is ending his first term, Boris is PM and Brexit brings us into the unknown. Covid-19 has made us more fearful and submissive, George Floyd was killed in public, sparking continuing worldwide protests about racism towards BAME people.No one I spoke to thought Brexit would really happen. It did. (This has done more to split Britain than I ever thought possible)No one I spoke to thought Trump would really win. He did.The last few years have seen Twitter being used as a platform for hate and propaganda, not reasonable debate. Journalists have been derided for spreading ‘fake news’ for doing their job – and our duty as human beings – which is to question, challenge, verify, find the fact instead of just repeating what someone said and blindly believing it because it suits how you wish the world to be, not how it is.We are all responsible for what happens. Collectively. Timothy Snyder presents so clearly our willingness to hide under the covers and think that what happens to our neighbour does not concern us.Please read this book. Examine how it makes you feel. How you communicate. How you consider your friends, authority, government, your role in society. How important we all are. How every small thing that we do, no matter how insignificant, has vital importance.

⭐This is one of those weird books that – when you read it – immediately you feel – in fact, you KNOW that you are in the presence or in the midst of the phenomena it is describing.Every thing Snyder describes to me I have been living through in England since at least 2010, when the right wing reactionary Tory Government came to power after New Labour.Even how austerity has increased inequality and how that destabilises societies – Snyder points it all out succinctly and with devastatingly simple language.This book is also a validation for me of my approach to this neo-liberal dominated world I live in as I already practice many of Snyder’s suggested defences.This book however, seems chiefly written for Americans. One thing I would suggest is missing therefore is the problem of hypocrisy, and how that too can help democracy to be undermined.Let’s face it, the English are past masters of it and that means the art of convincing ourselves that we are somehow ‘exceptional’ and better than other people even though ‘one’ is just more discrete about doing what ‘they’ are doing. And that’s good enough apparently!!Other than that, this is still an indispensable read and I recommend it unreservedly.

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