On Freedom

Timothy Snyder's book "On Freedom" is a profound reflection on the nature and meaning of freedom in our lives. Snyder, an acclaimed historian and author, explores the various dimensions of freedom-from the personal and political to the collective-and shows how freedom is inextricably linked to truth, democracy, and responsibility to society. Against the backdrop of historical events and contemporary challenges, Snyder makes clear that freedom is not a given, but a value that must be continually defended, protected, and developed. The book leads us to consider how freedom can be threatened when people let down their guard, and draws attention to the role of the individual in protecting it.

Freedom, according to Snyder, does not end at physical or political independence, but requires a commitment to truth and the ability to distinguish between facts and lies. Only a free person is able to view the world without the filters of fear and manipulation - this is what makes a free person an active citizen. This commitment to truth is not just a philosophical question, but often a matter of life and death. The tragedy of the Holocaust is a case in point, where propaganda and systematic deception played a key role. People who blindly followed untruths were subject to manipulation and themselves contributed to the dehumanisation of others. This is why Snyder warns that freedom without truth can quickly turn into an instrument of oppression, where lies are used to legitimize the indefensible. In today's digital age, where misinformation is only a click away, a commitment to truth takes on a new dimension. Individuals become responsible for critically evaluating sources and information. Without this ability, we are susceptible to manipulation, which undermines our own understanding of reality. Freedom is therefore not only about the ability to make free choices, but also about whether they are based on truth or illusion. Historical figures, such as Galileo Galilei, fought for the right to truth, risking their lives. Galileo refused to accept the lies that the Church spread about the universe, and although he was imprisoned for it, his steadfastness laid the foundations of modern scientific thought. This example shows that the search for truth is not infrequently accompanied by sacrifice, but without this courage there can be no freedom. In addition to historical examples, there is also the story of George Orwell, who, in his novel '1984', warned of a world where truth is distorted and facts are subjected to state control. Orwell's work teaches us that the right to the truth is an essential part of a free society, because without it we lose ourselves and our own voice. Truth, then, is not just an individual decision, but a social commitment that strengthens our collective resilience. In this context, Snyder warns that if we lose the ability to defend the truth, our freedom may be only illusory.

Snyder explains that the two values are inextricably linked - freedom gives individuals a voice, while democracy protects and promotes that voice. In a democracy, people have the right to express their opinions, control government power, and influence the direction of society. Freedom is what gives democracy its strength and meaning, because without it democracy would be an empty concept. However, this relationship is not seamless. Throughout history, we have seen how democracy breaks down where freedom begins to be curtailed. An example is Germany in 1933, when Adolf Hitler came to power through democratic elections, only to subsequently restrict freedom of speech, assembly and the press. Democracy without freedom turned into a dictatorship where the government controlled all aspects of citizens' lives and suppressed any sign of dissent. However, freedom and democracy are fragile and require constant protection. Snyder stresses that without citizens taking an active interest in the affairs of society, democracy can easily be manipulated. He therefore calls for engagement, for each individual not only to exercise his or her rights but also to ensure that they are protected. Freedom must be understood not only as a right but also as a duty - a duty to work for the common good. An example of this can be found in the history of the United States. In the 1960s, African-Americans fought for their rights when their freedom and rights in a democratic system were restricted by racial segregation. This struggle for civil rights shows that without freedom, democracy becomes incomplete and unjust. Freedom gives real meaning to democracy because it gives voice to those who are oppressed. At the same time, democracy gives room for diversity and difference of opinion, which is extremely important for a free society. It is only where people are free to debate and disagree that real progress can be made. Snyder therefore warns of the dangers of uniformity and one-sided thinking, which can threaten freedom. True freedom and democracy require individual courage and responsibility. Without these values, freedom and democracy can become empty words with no real meaning for life in society.

Freedom is not just about individual liberty, but brings with it a responsibility to society and others. A truly free person is aware that his actions have an impact on others and that his freedom is not isolated but interconnected with the freedoms of other people. We see this principle of responsibility in many areas of life. For example, in environmental issues - the decisions that individuals make in the use of natural resources directly affect the planet and the future of future generations. The freedom to drive a car or consume energy without restrictions is only freedom as long as it does not threaten the environment and therefore the freedom of other people. Another example is public health, where the freedom of the individual carries with it a responsibility for the health and safety of others. In the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, this idea has become particularly relevant. Wearing a veil or getting vaccinated were issues of personal freedom for many, but Snyder would remind us that true freedom also involves consideration for others - a personal responsibility to protect society as a whole. Individual responsibility, however, goes beyond merely practical issues. Snyder emphasizes that freedom requires the moral courage to stand up for those who lack freedom, whether for political or social reasons. Historical examples include the struggle for human and minority rights, where individuals and groups risked their comfort and safety to stand up for the rights of others. Snyder also warns that if individuals refuse to take responsibility, it can lead to the emergence of centralized forms of control where the state begins to substitute for the roles that should be performed by citizens. This process of citizens abdicating their responsibilities can lead to a weakening of the very foundations of a free society. Individual responsibility is thus at the heart of what Snyder sees as healthy freedom. It is not just about rights, but about duty to the larger community. Only such a freedom is meaningful and sustainable - a freedom that takes into account the needs of others and does not exclude them, but integrates them into an overall concept of freedom within society.

History repeatedly teaches us how easily free societies can fall under the sway of authoritarian regimes if people stop actively opposing abuses of power. According to Snyder, it is therefore important that individuals not only recognize tyranny, but also courageously speak out against it. Resistance is not always grand or dramatic; it often begins with small acts that require personal courage and determination. One example is the White Rose Students in Nazi Germany. Despite the threat of the death penalty, they distributed leaflets and encouraged people to reflect on the cruelties of the regime. Although they were persecuted, their resistance inspired others, showing that even individuals without political power can resist injustice. Snyder points out that tyranny often begins subtly. Manipulating public opinion, abusing power, and restricting freedoms under the guise of "protection" are just some of the ways in which the powerful can gradually subjugate society. In such cases, citizens are obliged to critically assess what is happening around them and constantly examine whether their rights are being suppressed. Otherwise, they risk losing their freedom. Tyranny can also be experienced in smaller forms, for example in workplaces or schools, where hierarchical structures sometimes create an environment that stifles free thought and creativity. Snyder argues that if people learn to resist tyranny even in these "smaller" contexts, they strengthen their ability to recognize and oppose it in the larger spheres of life. An important part of resisting tyranny is education and an understanding of history. People who understand how tyranny develops and the steps that lead to it are less likely to succumb to its influence. Therefore, education about the past is one of the best ways to build an internal compass of resistance to injustice. Although resistance to tyranny can be difficult and risky, its importance for the future is incalculable. Freedom is not a given, but a value that requires constant vigilance and the courage to stand up even to powerful authorities who seek to limit the rights of individuals and the freedom of society as a whole.

Freedom, although often a natural part of life for us, can be threatened very quickly and subtly. We know history as a series of losses and regains of freedom, which shows that freedom is not a permanent state, but something that society must constantly protect and cherish. One of the most famous historical examples is the situation in the Soviet Union, where, after the October Revolution in 1917, a new era of freedom and equality seemed to be born. However, it quickly became clear that the freedom of the people was an illusion and the new regime led to repression, censorship and strict control over the lives of the citizens. This 'freedom' gradually turned into a system that served not the people but the dictators. Snyder points out that freedom is not only threatened in totalitarian regimes. In democratic countries, freedom can be restricted by various laws or regulations that are introduced under the pretext of security or the protection of society. These measures may be subtle at first, but if people do not pay attention to them, they can lead to a gradual erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms. The modern world of digital technology is also linked to this. In the online environment, we often voluntarily give up privacy and personal data in exchange for convenience and services that make our lives easier. This loss of privacy can subtly deprive us of our freedom as large corporations and governments gain enormous power over the information they hold about us. There are also examples throughout history where people have reluctantly accepted restrictions, only to regret them later. The French Revolution of 1789, which began with the aim of gaining greater freedom and rights, eventually led to a period of terror where power was abused to repress and use violence against its own citizens. The road to freedom can be dangerous if it is not properly guarded and controlled. Snyder encourages us to view freedom not only as a fundamental right, but also as a value to be consciously and actively protected. Freedom is not a given and can be lost if we are not vigilant. This concept encourages us not only to enjoy freedom, but to be responsible for preserving it for future generations, because only in this way can freedom be a truly lasting part of the life of society.

An understanding of the past is essential for securing freedom in the present and in the future. Knowledge of historical events, reversals and abuses of power gives citizens the tools to recognise similar patterns of behaviour today, so that they can better prepare themselves to protect their own rights and freedoms. One example is post-war Europe, where states sought to avoid repeating the horrors of Nazism and totalitarianism. The basic principles of democracy, human rights and accountability were enshrined in European documents such as the European Agreement on Human Rights and the UN Charter, which were intended to guarantee the protection of citizens from state violence. The comments on Nazism and Communism serve as a warning of where indifference to freedom and unchecked power can lead. Snyder warns that when a society ceases to emphasize history, it loses the ability to recognize the warning signs of threats to freedom. Totalitarian regimes in the past started subtly - propaganda, censorship, marginalisation of certain groups, until total control was gradually asserted. We see this pattern repeatedly throughout history, from Nazi Germany to the Soviet era, and it is therefore important to constantly remind ourselves of these examples. Snyder, on the other hand, sees history not only as a source of warning but also of inspiration. Stories of courage and resistance to injustice, such as those of Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States and Vaclav Havel in Czechoslovakia, prove that people have the power to stand up against oppression if they are vigilant and united. These examples remind us that freedom can be protected through courage and solidarity. Snyder also stresses that relying only on current knowledge and ignoring history leads to repeated mistakes. As he warns, countries that do not do enough to teach and understand history run the risk of leaving their citizens unprepared to face potential threats. History is thus a kind of collective memory that not only warns but also reinforces citizens' awareness of what can be done to protect freedom. An understanding of history is not a luxury but a necessity if we are to preserve a free and just society.

Freedom is not just an individual right, but a collective commitment that requires solidarity among citizens. For a free society to function and prosper, people must work together, support each other and protect not only their own rights but also the rights of others. An example of collective freedom is the process of democratic elections. In this act, individuals use their freedom to choose leaders and influence the direction of the country, but this process is only possible through shared responsibility and respect for the rules. If the freedom of the individual were placed above the rules and respect for the results, democracy would quickly disintegrate into chaos. Freedom requires collective trust and agreement on basic principles. Without solidarity, freedom easily disintegrates into individualism, where each pursues only his own goals without regard for the impact on others. An example of this is the economic freedom of large corporations, which, while pursuing their own interests, often do so at the expense of society. According to Snyder, this undermines the very idea of freedom by creating inequalities and tensions that undermine the foundations of social cohesion. An important part of collective freedom is the protection of the rights of those who are vulnerable and do not have the opportunity to defend their rights effectively themselves. In the United States, anti-discrimination law was introduced in the 1960s to protect minorities from injustice. Although it did not directly affect many people, society as a whole understood that minority rights are the foundation of justice and equality. Snyder also addresses the question of how the individual can contribute to common freedom. He urges us not to focus only on our rights, but to be willing to act for the good of society. This includes not only engaging in civic activities, but also seeking to build relationships based on trust and respect. Collective freedom is strong precisely because of shared values and commitments. True freedom cannot exist in isolation. A society that seeks to preserve freedom for all must be prepared to work together to strike a balance between individual rights and the collective good. Freedom is only strong when people can value, support and protect each other, because only such freedom is truly meaningful for the present and future generations.

The book "On Freedom" is a warning, but also a hopeful challenge. Snyder reminds us that freedom is not just a set of rights, but also a commitment and responsibility that we must continually exercise towards ourselves and society. He teaches us that truth, history and social unity are the pillars on which freedom rests, and if these values are neglected, freedom can quickly turn into an illusion. Using examples from the past and present, Snyder inspires us not to give up our vigilance and to be prepared to stand up for our freedom and the rights of others. This book is an important guide for anyone who realizes that freedom is not a permanent state, but a journey on which we are all responsible. Do you have feedback for us? We'd love it if you let us know your opinion on our content! Just send an email to feedback@rewio.app with the title of this book in the subject line and share your impressions!