This book was written in the immediate aftermath of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Snyder addresses concerns about democratic backsliding in America while maintaining global perspective.
His lessons about resisting the normalisation of the abnormal speak directly to contemporary anxieties about political polarisation, institutional stress, and the erosion of civic norms.
And yet, here we are again! Not only in the U.S. but also in Europe. And in my country, Portugal.
The first lesson, "Do not obey in advance" encapsulates perhaps the most crucial insight of the entire work. Snyder argues that the most devastating aspect of tyranny's rise is not the dramatic seizure of power, but the quiet capitulation of ordinary citizens who assume that accommodation will protect them. This obedience actually accelerates democratic breakdown by eliminating the friction that might otherwise slow authoritarian advance.
1 – Do not obey in advance.
— Timothy Snyder
Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do.
The book's brevity, fewer than 130 pages, belies its profound impact. Each of its twenty lessons reads like a call, demanding attention from every citizen concerned about the fragility of democratic norms. Snyder's work emerges from decades of research into totalitarian regimes, making it both academically rigorous and immediately relevant to modern political discourse.
Throughout the book, Snyder emphasizes that tyranny succeeds not through grand conspiracy but through the accumulation of small compromises. His second lesson, "Defend institutions", recognizes that democratic norms and structures require active protection rather than passive assumption of their permanence. The erosion of judicial independence, press freedom, and electoral integrity begins incrementally, often through legal and seemingly reasonable measures.
The historian's expertise in Eastern European studies proves particularly valuable in lessons about propaganda and truth. "Investigate and read" and "Make eye contact and small talk" might seem mundane, but Snyder grounds these recommendations in the concrete experiences of societies where information control and social atomization preceded political oppression. The breakdown of shared factual reality, he argues, creates the conditions where authoritarian narratives can flourish.
The Philosophy of Resistance
Beyond tactical advice, "On Tyranny" articulates a philosophy of democratic resistance rooted in personal responsibility and moral courage. Snyder's emphasis on "Take responsibility for the face of the world" connects individual action to broader political outcomes, rejecting both cynical withdrawal and naive optimism about institutional protections.
The international dimension of Snyder's analysis proves equally important. "Learn from peers in other countries" acknowledges that democratic movements must learn from each other across national boundaries. The experiences of activists in Hungary, Poland, Venezuela, and other countries facing authoritarian pressure provide valuable insights for Americans and others concerned about democratic erosion.
Snyder's work has influenced how journalists, politicians, and citizens think about the early warning signs of authoritarian drift. The book's lessons provide a vocabulary for discussing threats to democratic norms that extends beyond partisan political rhetoric. Terms like "anticipatory obedience" have entered broader political discourse as analytical concepts rather than mere partisan talking points.
The international reception of "On Tyranny" demonstrates its relevance beyond the American context that inspired its creation. Readers in countries with more recent experiences of authoritarian rule have found value in Snyder's synthesis of historical lessons, even where they might disagree with specific applications to contemporary American politics.
Snyder has explained in interviews that he was motivated by a sense of historical responsibility, the obligation of someone who had studied democratic breakdown to share that knowledge when he saw similar patterns emerging. The book represents his attempt to democratize historical expertise, making the lessons of professional scholarship accessible to general readers who might need to act on that knowledge.
Conclusion
"On Tyranny" stands as a remarkable achievement, a work that successfully bridges academic expertise and civic engagement during a moment of political uncertainty. Timothy Snyder's twenty lessons distils decades of historical research into actionable wisdom, creating a handbook for democratic resistance that has resonated with readers worldwide.
The book's greatest strength lies in its historical grounding. By drawing lessons from the actual experiences of societies that lost their freedom, Snyder provides concrete examples of how democratic breakdown occurs and how it might be resisted. This empirical foundation distinguishes "On Tyranny" from more abstract theoretical treatments of authoritarianism, giving readers specific behaviours and attitudes to adopt or avoid.
Links and more
- Timothy Snyder's website resources (link)
Don't be a bystander poster:
- 20 Lessons on Tyranny: by Timothy Snyder / read by John Lithgow (youtube link)
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