Podcast Summary
Understanding the lessons from the 20th century to combat tyranny today: Historian Timothy Snyder's 'On Tyranny' offers 20 lessons from the 20th century to help combat tyranny in the present day. The book is a quick, accessible read, but the result of a lifetime of research and reflection. The lessons cover recognizing signs of tyranny, taking responsibility, and being aware of propaganda.
Key takeaway from this conversation with Timothy Snyder is that his book "On Tyranny: 20 Lessons from the 20th Century" is a timely and important read, not just for understanding historical patterns of tyranny, but also for applying those lessons to the present day. Snyder, a historian at Yale University, wrote the book as a response to the political climate of the 21st century, but it's based on his decades-long study of the 20th century and the lessons we can learn from it. The book is a quick and accessible read, but it's the result of a lifetime of research and reflection. The 20 lessons cover topics like recognizing the signs of tyranny, taking responsibility for one's own actions, and being aware of the power of propaganda. These lessons are not just historical, but also relevant to our current political climate. Whether or not you agree with Snyder's interpretation of the current political situation, his book is a valuable reminder of the importance of staying informed, engaged, and vigilant in the face of potential threats to democracy.
Lessons from the 2016 Election: The 2016 election underscored the importance of staying informed and engaged in politics, recognizing threats to American institutions and values, and broadening political imagination.
The author's book, written in response to the 2016 election, carries the weight of past events and the urgency of the present moment. The author wrote the 20 lessons in a few hours after the election, but the context of the critical moment demanded an immediate response. The book's themes, including the need to broaden political imagination and the danger of becoming desensitized to the current state of affairs, remain relevant. Despite concerns that the book may exaggerate the danger of Trump, the author's message is not about Trump himself but rather the importance of recognizing the threats to American institutions and values. The book, which is a satisfying and quick read, serves as a call to action and a reminder of the need to remain engaged and informed.
Understanding the vulnerability of democracies to authoritarian regimes: Recognize warning signs and take action to prevent democratic backsliding, focusing on individual character traits and institutional constraints.
The current political climate serves as a reminder of the vulnerability of democracies to authoritarian regimes. The book "How Democracies Die" by Levitsky and Ziblatt emphasizes the importance of recognizing the warning signs and taking action to prevent such a shift. The authors argue that individuals with certain character traits, when placed in institutional situations that constrain them, may push against those constraints. The relevant question is whether those constraints can hold them. The book is not about predicting specific actions of a particular leader, but rather preparing for various actions that make an authoritarian regime change less likely. Americans, being provincial, may underestimate the potential for negative events and the demands placed on them during such times. The election of Trump has shown that our system is vulnerable to a demagogue, and it's crucial to remember that the generic case still holds, regardless of who is in power. The book's focus is timeless and will not read like a magazine article in five years.
Three Reasons for Historical Amnesia in America: Americans' exceptionalism, insular focus, and post-Cold War beliefs have left us unprepared for the challenges of history, making us vulnerable to anti-democratic tendencies. Ignoring globalization's deep historical roots leads to a lack of understanding and preparedness.
Americans today may be repeating the mistakes of Europeans in the 20th century who failed to recognize the weaknesses in their democratic systems, leading to the rise of fascism, Nazism, and communism. This blind spot can be attributed to three factors: the long-standing tradition of American exceptionalism, the insular focus on American history, and the post-Cold War belief that history had ended. These beliefs have left us unprepared for the unexpected challenges and threats that history always brings. Moreover, the anti-globalization sentiment, which played a significant role in the 2016 election, can be seen as a response to globalization, which is not a new phenomenon but has deep historical roots. By viewing globalization as a recent development, we fail to recognize its patterns and potential outcomes, leading to a lack of preparedness for the challenges it presents. This historical amnesia and ignorance make us vulnerable to anti-democratic tendencies.
The Second Globalization: Opportunities and Challenges: Aware of potential political manipulation, work towards addressing globalization challenges in a thoughtful and inclusive way
We are currently experiencing the second globalization, which brings both opportunities and challenges. Historically, similar expansions of trade in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to economic growth but also produced local inequalities and resentments. These resentments can be exploited by politicians who simplify complex issues and blame specific groups for people's problems. This played out in the rise of fascism and National Socialism in Europe, and it can be seen in the politics of the 21st century, including the presidency of Donald Trump in the United States. The key lesson is to be aware of the potential for political manipulation and to work towards addressing the challenges of globalization in a thoughtful and inclusive way. It's important to remember that these issues are not simple, and they require complex solutions that acknowledge the interconnectedness of the global community.
Obeying in Advance: Unintentionally Aiding Authoritarianism: Recognize the danger of complying with authoritarian demands before being asked, as it can contribute to a culture of fear and division, and unwittingly strengthen the hand of anti-democratic forces. Resist this trend by not obeying in advance.
Individuals can unintentionally contribute to the normalization of authoritarianism by complying with its demands before being asked. This concept, referred to as "obeying in advance," was discussed in relation to the current political climate and the rise of anti-globalization politics. The speaker highlighted examples such as the Muslim ban and the denunciation office at Homeland Security, which are not primarily about the targeted groups, but rather about shaping citizens' perceptions and behaviors. By denouncing neighbors or scapegoating certain groups, individuals unwittingly contribute to a culture of fear and division. It's essential to recognize that there are consciously anti-democratic forces at play, and this dynamic can lead to a slippery slope towards authoritarianism. The first lesson from the book is to resist this trend by not obeying in advance and avoiding behaviors that might inadvertently strengthen the hand of authoritarian forces.
Resist early to keep costs low: Historically, resisting authoritarian regimes at their start is crucial to keep costs low. Engage in small acts of resistance, like political conversations, protests, or running for local office, to make a difference.
Individuals have the power to resist authoritarian regimes at their inception, but if they fail to do so, the cost of resistance increases significantly over time. Historically, it's been observed that at the beginning of authoritarian regime changes, leaders require consent from the people. However, humans have a tendency to normalize new situations and align themselves with them, even if it means drifting towards disaster. This phenomenon, known as "obeying in advance," can make the rest of the resistance seem senseless and impossible. Therefore, it's crucial to resist early on, even if it requires only a tiny bit of courage. Examples from history, such as the Anschluss in Austria, illustrate this dynamic. If people don't take advantage of the moment they have in the first weeks, months, and maybe the first year, the system changes, and the cost of resistance becomes much higher. So, it's essential to engage in small acts of resistance, such as making political conversations, protesting, or running for local office, at the beginning, even if the outcome is uncertain.
Defending Institutions from Authoritarian Forces: History shows that failing to protect institutions from authoritarian forces can lead to their collapse. It's crucial to defend them early to prevent their destruction.
The actions of a population in response to the arrival of authoritarian forces are crucial. People may believe they have the option of doing nothing, but this is a misconception. History, as shown in Nazi Germany, demonstrates that the failure to defend institutions from the beginning can lead to their collapse one after another. Institutional protection is necessary, and the belief that those in power will not destroy these institutions is a dangerous assumption. An editorial from German Jews in 1933, urging faith in the new regime, serves as a cautionary tale. It's easy to underestimate the potential for rulers to change or destroy institutions, even when they've publicly announced their intentions to do so. The importance of defending institutions cannot be overstated, especially during times of political instability.
Understanding history is crucial for informed decision making: Historical awareness and critical thinking are essential for making informed decisions and contributing to a thoughtful society.
Importance of recognizing the historical context of current events and institutions. People often fail to see the bigger picture and become myopic in their perspective. This was emphasized through the conversation about the defense of institutions and the need for critical thinking and historical awareness. Sam Harris emphasized that we are all swimming in history, and it's essential to understand the past to make informed decisions about the present and future. He encouraged listeners to subscribe to his podcast at samharris.org to access full-length episodes and other subscriber-only content, including conversations on the Waking Up app. The Making Sense podcast is ad-free and relies entirely on listener support. By subscribing, you not only gain access to exclusive content but also help ensure the continued production of thought-provoking conversations that challenge us to broaden our perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world. In summary, the importance of historical awareness and critical thinking cannot be overstated. By recognizing the historical context of current events and institutions, we can make more informed decisions and contribute to a more thoughtful and engaged society.
