Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century is a concise, urgent handbook for citizens concerned about the fragility of democracy and the persistent threat of authoritarianism. Drawing from his expertise as a historian of 20th-century Europe, Snyder distills the lessons learned from the rise of fascist and totalitarian regimes-particularly Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia-into twenty actionable principles aimed at resisting tyranny in the modern era261.
Central Premise and Structure
Snyder’s core argument is that the decline of democracy and the rise of tyranny are not distant or abstract dangers, but present and recurring threats-even in established democracies like the United States. He warns that history does not repeat itself exactly, but it offers clear instructions: the patterns that enabled dictators to seize power in the past can reappear if citizens are complacent or complicit21. The book is structured as twenty short chapters, each offering a lesson in the form of a direct imperative, followed by historical context and practical advice42.
Key Lessons and Historical Parallels
The first lesson, “Do not obey in advance,” sets the tone for the book. Snyder explains that authoritarian regimes rely on the anticipatory obedience of ordinary people-those who, out of fear or conformity, adjust their behavior before being forced to do so. This voluntary submission paves the way for further abuses of power135.
Subsequent lessons emphasize the importance of defending democratic institutions, as these are only as robust as the citizens willing to stand up for them. Snyder warns that authoritarians seek to undermine checks and balances, often by attacking the judiciary, the press, and electoral systems. He cautions against the dangers of a one-party state, noting how the erosion of political pluralism leads to unchecked power12.
Snyder also highlights the role of professional ethics, urging individuals-especially those in law, medicine, and business-to uphold their moral responsibilities even when pressured by the state. He recounts how professionals in Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia abandoned their ethics, enabling atrocities16.
Other critical lessons include:
Be wary of paramilitaries: Authoritarians often use unofficial armed groups to intimidate and control the populace1.
Be reflective if you must be armed: Police and soldiers must remember their duty to the people, not to the regime3.
Defend the truth: Snyder stresses the importance of resisting propaganda and lies, as the manipulation of language and facts is a hallmark of totalitarianism. He encourages citizens to support investigative journalism and to read widely to build intellectual resilience14.
Establish a private life: Totalitarian regimes seek to erase the boundary between public and private, making privacy a form of resistance4.
Practice corporeal politics: Engaging in real-world, face-to-face political action and community building is vital for sustaining democracy4.
Modern Relevance
While Snyder’s immediate context is the political climate following Donald Trump’s election, his warnings are intentionally broad. He draws parallels between contemporary trends-such as attacks on the press, the judiciary, and electoral integrity-and the early stages of historical tyrannies27. Snyder urges readers not to assume that democratic traditions alone will protect them; active, informed resistance is necessary36.
Final Warnings and Call to Action
In the book’s final chapters, Snyder describes how authoritarians exploit crises-real or manufactured-to justify the suspension of civil liberties. He recounts the Reichstag fire in Nazi Germany as a classic example: a sudden emergency allowed Hitler to consolidate dictatorial power under the guise of national security, a tactic echoed by other regimes14.
Snyder concludes with a call to vigilance, courage, and solidarity. Democracy, he argues, is not self-sustaining; it requires the constant, conscious effort of its citizens. By learning from history and applying these twenty lessons, individuals can help prevent the descent into tyranny and preserve freedom for future generations125.
In summary, On Tyranny is both a warning and a guide. It insists that the preservation of democracy is everyone’s responsibility, and that the lessons of the past must inform the actions of the present.