On Tyranny

Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny is an urgent warning for contemporary society. Through twenty clearly articulated lessons, Snyder takes us through the history of the 20th century to understand how fragile democracy can be and how easy it is to fall into tyranny. Snyder uses examples from the totalitarian regimes of the last century to emphasize that freedom is not a given and that each of us has a responsibility to protect it. The book is not only a guide to a better understanding of history, but also a call for civic engagement and awareness, which is the key to preserving our freedom.

Preserving democracy and protecting institutions are among the most important elements of defending freedom. History teaches us that totalitarian regimes do not emerge at once, but through the creeping disintegration of existing institutions that protect civil rights. Consider the period of the 1930s, when democratic institutions in the Weimar Republic were gradually weakened by internal conflicts, economic crisis and the rise of radical forces. Although this democracy had sufficiently strong foundations, the growing tensions allowed Adolf Hitler to gradually seize power and establish a Nazi dictatorship. However, the defence of institutions is not just a question of their physical preservation. In any age, institutions such as the courts, the media and the government must remain faithful to the values of truth and justice. If these institutions cease to be independent and become instruments of propaganda or repression, they no longer function as protectors, but as instruments of tyranny. For example, censorship of the press is often the first step in state control - if access to truthful information is restricted, people lose the ability to make informed choices. The participation of individuals is also crucial. Democracy is sustained not only through institutions, but also through the engagement of people who are willing to defend their values. We see this, for example, in the US during the civil rights movement, when African Americans and their supporters realised that rights must be guaranteed to all or the system would lose legitimacy. Their determination changed laws and strengthened democratic principles. The citizen should feel that his or her voice also carries weight, because democracy is based on trust in public debate and decision-making. If this trust is lost, it opens the way to authoritarianism, in which decisions are taken behind closed doors and serve only a small group. It is therefore important that we take an active interest in what is happening around us, speak out against acts of injustice and support a free media that can independently check power. Otherwise, if we think that 'it does not concern us', we are enabling the slow but sure demise of democracy. In this sense, it turns out that freedom is not a given, but an ongoing process that requires our commitment.

Knowing history and its lessons is crucial to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Human history is full of moments when societies have found themselves at the crossroads between freedom and tyranny. However, if we forget or distort these events, we are one step closer to repeating similar mistakes. Imagine how, after the First World War, Europeans lost faith in stability. This situation paved the way for new authoritarian regimes that took advantage of the insecurity and disillusionment of the population. One of the most common signs of the rise of tyranny is precisely the manipulation of history. Totalitarian regimes, such as Stalin's Soviet Union, distorted historical events in order to support official ideology and justify repression. Stalin had photographs edited and erased from the records people who no longer suited his purposes. In this way, the past became an instrument of control - people who lost contact with the truth about history also lost the ability to learn from it. Our approach to history should therefore not be merely academic. It is important that we take an active interest in what happened and why, and that we compare historical events with contemporary situations. Independent historical sources are an important tool in the defence of freedom because they allow us to understand the mechanisms by which tyranny is perpetuated. History is also a warning that tyranny often comes subtly and gradually. Many Germans in the 1930s initially saw Hitler as merely a 'saviour from chaos' until his policies began to affect their lives in ways that could not be ignored. Ignorance or ignoring historical parallels can be just as dangerous as directly participating in evil. Remembering these historical moments is not just nostalgia, but a necessity. For a contemporary society facing various crises and polarisation, knowledge of history is an essential step towards being able to navigate uncertain times and recognise the threats that can lead to the curtailment of our freedom.

Populist rhetoric and simple slogans are weapons often used by authoritarian leaders to win public favour. These simple slogans, seemingly innocent and often appealing, appeal to emotions rather than to rational thought. We have seen many times in history that promises of 'national renewal' or 'cleansing' society of its enemies have only one goal: to gain control of the people's minds and to push their own agenda through unopposed. Take the example of Italy during the rise of Benito Mussolini. His slogan "Everything within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state" appealed to many Italians who longed for order after chaotic years. The slogan sounded clear and simple, but it implied absolute control over people's lives. By presenting his ideas simply, Mussolini made it easy for people to accept them without thinking about the consequences. At the same time, simple slogans and populism created a false impression of unity and a strong leader. A person who repeats these words feels part of the 'majority' - the right party. However, this illusion leads to the suppression of diversity of opinion and the gradual silencing of the opposition, thus polarising society. Those who dare to express a different opinion are often labelled as enemies, 'traitors to the nation' or 'threats to national unity'. In the modern world, where social networks allow the instant transmission of information, populism is even more dangerous. What once spreads like a viral slogan can become the basis for a movement that does not itself recognise the complexity of the problems but promotes 'simple solutions'. Yet it is precisely the complexity of the world that requires patience and analysis, not the blind following of simple platitudes. In order to counter the power of populist slogans, it is important to maintain critical thinking and to ask what is really behind them. Who benefits from them? What does it lead us to? Dictatorships often begin with talk of the common good, but end where freedom of speech and thought are suppressed in the name of simple but deceptive slogans.

Hatred and dehumanisation are dangerous tools used by tyrants to divide society and justify repressive measures. This process starts subtly: a certain group of people is accused of threatening the 'security' or 'values' of society. These accusations lead to a division of the population into 'us' and 'them', creating an atmosphere of fear and hostility. One of the most famous examples is the anti-Semitic propaganda in Nazi Germany. Jews were portrayed as the culprits for the country's economic problems, which led to their gradual exclusion from public life, right up to the tragic events of the Holocaust. Dehumanisation not only enabled their marginalisation but also justified violence against them. When people begin to perceive a group as 'inferior' or 'dangerous', the willingness to stand up for them declines rapidly. However, dehumanisation does not always have to take place through brutal propaganda; it often takes more subtle forms that are spread subtly. The use of the term 'parasites' or 'threat' to refer to minorities, migrants or other marginalised groups creates an appearance of legitimacy for their discrimination. In societies where such labels are tolerated, basic human empathy and a willingness to help quickly disappear. Social networks today make it even easier to spread dehumanising views. By simply spreading misinformation or harmful stereotypes, a false image can be created of groups of people who become targets of hatred. If such views go unchallenged or even gain support, society can find itself on a slippery slope to tyranny. Defending against hate and dehumanization requires a willingness to see others as people with their own stories, problems and joys. It is important to have the civic courage to express opposition to hate speech, even when it is popular in society. Every single act that fosters empathy and understanding strengthens a community's resilience to division and hatred.

Critical thinking and an independent view of the world are essential to maintaining freedom in a society that faces various forms of manipulation. Under totalitarian regimes such as Nazism and Stalinism, the truth was distorted to suit the needs of state propaganda. Citizens who stopped asking questions and accepted information without verification became easy to control. In this context, Snyder points out that it is the passive acceptance of information that creates the ideal conditions for tyrants. One of the classic tools of manipulation is the repetition of deceptive claims. The more often untruths are uttered, the more "true" they become for people. George Orwell's novel 1984 aptly demonstrated this phenomenon when the state repeated that 'war is peace' or 'freedom is slavery'. Similar techniques are often used to disguise the true nature of events or to divert attention from important issues. In modern times, when information overload is enormous, critical thinking becomes even more important. It is easy to succumb to viral messages or manipulations that create a simplistic picture of the world that suits the interests of certain groups. It is therefore necessary for every citizen to know how to analyse information, seek independent sources and verify facts. Without these skills, individuals become vulnerable to propaganda and unwittingly support the power of those who want to manipulate public opinion. An example of independent access to information can be seen in intelligence activities during the Cold War. At a time when the world was divided into two hostile camps, the ability of individuals to gather information from multiple sources was invaluable. Those who had access to foreign media were able to maintain a broader view of events and not be fooled by one-sided propaganda. In order to defend against manipulation, it is not enough just to receive information. It is important to ask who is presenting this information to us and why. The ability to analyse and critically evaluate makes us less susceptible to falling victim to demagoguery.

On Tyranny is more than a historical analysis. Snyder's lessons are a warning that resonates with anyone who believes in the values of democracy and freedom. Each chapter reveals an important aspect of how tyranny arises and what we as individuals can do to prevent it. From protecting institutions, to critical thinking, to empathy for marginalized groups, the author encourages us to take responsibility and take an active role in society. The book thus serves as a guide for the future, encouraging us to remember the mistakes of the past and to be mindful of protecting the values that make society free and just. 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!