"The European history of the twentieth century shows us that societies can break, democracies can fall, ethics can collapse ... it would serve us well to understand why."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 1/
1. Do not obey in advance.

"Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given ... A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 2/
2. Defend institutions.

"It is institutions that help us to preserve decency ... They fall one after the other unless each is defended from the beginning."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 3/
3. Beware the one-party state.

"The parties that remade states and suppressed rivals were no omnipotent at the start ... They exploited a historical moment to make political life impossible for their opponents."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 4/
4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.

"The symbols of today enable the reality of tomorrow. Notice the swastikas and the other signs of hate. Do not look away, and do not get used to them. Remove them yourself and set an example ..."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 5/
5. Remember professional ethics

"When political leaders set a negative example, professional commitments to a just practice become more important ... It's hard to subvert a rule-of-law state without lawyers or to hold show trials without judges"

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 6/
6. Be wary of paramilitaries

"When men with guns who have always claimed to be against the system start wearing uniforms and marching with torches. the end is nigh ..."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 7/
7. Be reflective if you must be armed.

"If you carry a weapon in public service ... know that evils of the past involved policemen and soldiers finding themselves, one day, doing irregular things. Be ready to say no."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 8/
8. Stand out.

"Remember Rosa Parks. The moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken, and others will follow."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 9/
9. Be kind to our language.

"Avoid pronouncing the phrases everyone else does ... Make an effort to separate yourself from the internet. Read books."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 10/
10. Believe in truth.

"To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true then no-one can criticise power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle ..."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 11/
11. Investigate.

"Figure things out for yourself. Spend more time with long articles ... Take responsibility for what you communicate to others."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 12/
12. Make eye contact and small talk.

"This is not just polite. It is part of being a citizen and responsible member of society. If we enter a culture of denunciation, you will want to know the psychological landscape of your daily life."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 13/
13. Establish a private life.

"Nastier rulers will use what they know about you to push you around. Scrub your computer of malware on a regular basis ... Have personal exchanges in person."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 14/
14. Practice corporeal politics.

"Power wants your body softening in your chair and your emotions dissipating on the screen, Get outside. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. Make new friends and march with them."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 15/
15. Contribute to good causes.

"Be active in organisations, political or not, that express your own view of life ... Then you will have made a free choice that supports civil society and helps others to do good."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 16/
16. Learn from peers in other countries.

"The present difficulties in the United States are an element of a larger trend. And no country is going to find a solution by itself."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 17/
17. Listen for dangerous words.

"Be alert to the use of the words "extremism" and "terrorism". Be alive to the fatal notions of "emergency" and "exception". Be angry about the treacherous use of patriotic vocabulary."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 18/
18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.

"Modern tyranny is terror management. When the terror attack comes, remember that authoritarians exploit such events in order to consolidate power ... 'Do not fall for it.'"

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 19/
19. Be a patriot.

"Set a good example ... for the generations to come. They will need it."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny" 20/
20. Be as courageous as you can.

"If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die under tyranny."

Timothy Snyder - "On Tyranny - Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century" 21/
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