Jordan Harbinger avatar

Dexa/Jordan Harbinger

Learn more
Published Nov 11, 2021

585: Timothy Snyder | Twentieth-Century Lessons on Tyranny

Timothy Snyder delves into the mechanics of authoritarianism, stressing the critical role of media literacy and active citizenship in defending democracy, while drawing parallels from history to underscore the importance of resisting passivity against today's global political threats.
Episode Highlights
The Jordan Harbinger Show logo

Topics covered

Popular Clips

Questions from this episode

Episode Highlights

  • Responsibility

    emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility in resisting authoritarian regimes. He argues that viewing figures like Hitler and Stalin as having superpowers absolves people of their duty to act, when in reality, mass participation, even passive, is necessary for such regimes to thrive 1. Snyder suggests that simple habits, like reducing internet time and subscribing to newspapers, can make individuals feel more connected and active in the world 2.

    Just the very decision that you're going to be an individual, and that you're going to talk about things in your own way, actually matters tremendously.

    ---

    He believes that taking responsibility for how we engage with the world can significantly impact our political landscape.

       

    Passivity

    Snyder discusses the dangers of passivity and normalization in the face of authoritarian threats. He highlights the importance of resisting the urge to "obey in advance," which involves preemptively aligning with new regimes out of fear or complacency 3. This passive acceptance can lead to a loss of personal and political agency, making it crucial to actively question and resist changes that threaten democratic values 4.

    If you can fight the normalization, if you can say, "Here I am. I'm not with this program," then you have a chance to do other things.

    ---

    Snyder stresses that the initial weeks and months of regime changes are critical for resistance.

       

    Media Literacy

    In an age of misinformation, Snyder underscores the necessity of media literacy and discerning truth. He warns against the tendency to dismiss all news as fake, which can lead to a passive acceptance of authoritarianism 5. Instead, Snyder advocates for active citizenship, where individuals strive to understand and engage with the truth 6.

    If you stop trying to figure things out for yourself, whenever there's some kind of shocking event, you're going to get pulled along by the crowd.

    ---

    By broadening our language and perspectives, we can foster deeper connections and a more informed public discourse.

Related Episodes