Timothy Snyder

On Tyranny

1. IDEA 1

   History offers warnings about tyranny

   Snyder, a historian of Europe, draws twenty short lessons from the rise of fascism and communism in the twentieth century. He argues that democracies can collapse, and that ordinary citizens can help prevent it.

2. IDEA 2

   Do not give power away early

   Snyder warns against obeying in advance, giving authoritarian leaders what they might want before they even demand it. Much of their early power, he argues, comes from people's willing compliance.

3. IDEA 3

   Institutions need defending

   Snyder argues that courts, newspapers, unions and other institutions do not protect themselves. Citizens must actively support them. In his view, an institution stays strong only when ordinary people keep using and supporting it.

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