On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century is a book written by Timothy Snyder, a historian and professor of history at Yale University. The book was published in 2017 and is a call to arms for readers to understand the warning signs of a rising tide of authoritarianism and to take action against it. The book is divided into twenty lessons, each of which is designed to provide a clear understanding of how to recognize and combat tyranny.
Chapter Summaries
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Lesson One: Do Not Obey in Advance
In this chapter, Snyder argues that one of the most effective ways to combat tyranny is to refuse to obey laws or orders that are unjust or oppressive. He provides examples from history of individuals who refused to follow unjust orders and were able to make a difference.
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Lesson Two: Defend Institutions
Snyder argues that institutions such as the press, the courts, and the government are essential to maintaining a democracy. He urges readers to defend these institutions from attacks by authoritarians and to hold them accountable.
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Lesson Three: Believe in Truth
In this chapter, Snyder argues that one of the most insidious tactics of authoritarians is to undermine the truth. He urges readers to believe in truth and to resist the temptation to accept falsehoods or half-truths.
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Lesson Four: Learn from Other Times and Places
Snyder argues that by studying history, we can learn from the mistakes of the past and avoid repeating them. He provides examples from history of societies that have succumbed to tyranny and urges readers to learn from their mistakes.
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Lesson Five: Investigate
In this chapter, Snyder urges readers to investigate the actions of those in power and to hold them accountable. He provides examples from history of individuals who uncovered the truth and exposed corruption.
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Lesson Six: Keep the Past Alive
Snyder argues that by remembering the past, we can prevent history from repeating itself. He urges readers to learn about the past and to honor those who fought against tyranny.
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Lesson Seven: Appeal to the Future
In this chapter, Snyder argues that by appealing to the future, we can inspire others to take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who used the power of words to inspire others to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Eight: Be a Localist
Snyder argues that by focusing on local issues and taking action at the grassroots level, we can make a difference. He provides examples from history of individuals who made a difference by taking action in their own communities.
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Lesson Nine: Be a Globalist
In this chapter, Snyder argues that by understanding the global context, we can see the bigger picture and take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who understood the global context and used it to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Ten: Be a Patriot
Snyder argues that by loving our country, we can take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who loved their country and used that love to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Eleven: Be an Outsider
In this chapter, Snyder argues that by being an outsider, we can see things that insiders cannot. He provides examples from history of individuals who were outsiders and used their perspective to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Twelve: Be an Optimist
Snyder argues that by being optimistic, we can inspire others to take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who were optimistic and used their optimism to inspire others to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Thirteen: Be a Heretic
In this chapter, Snyder argues that by questioning the status quo, we can challenge tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who questioned the status quo and used their heresy to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Fourteen: Be a Corinthian
Snyder argues that by refusing to participate in corruption, we can take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who refused to participate in corruption and used their actions to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Fifteen: Be a Cosmopolitan
In this chapter, Snyder argues that by understanding and appreciating other cultures, we can take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who understood and appreciated other cultures and used that understanding to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Sixteen: Be a Craftsman
Snyder argues that by taking pride in our work and being skilled at what we do, we can take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who were skilled craftsmen and used their skills to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Seventeen: Be a Thinker
In this chapter, Snyder argues that by thinking for ourselves, we can take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who thought for themselves and used their thinking to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Eighteen: Be a Doer
Snyder argues that by taking action, we can take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who took action and used their actions to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Nineteen: Be a Survivor
In this chapter, Snyder argues that by surviving, we can take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who survived and used their survival to fight against oppression.
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Lesson Twenty: Be a Witness
Snyder argues that by witnessing the actions of those in power, we can take action against tyranny. He provides examples from history of individuals who witnessed the actions of those in power and used their witnessing to fight against oppression.
Conclusion
On Tyranny is a powerful call to arms for readers to understand the warning signs of a rising tide of authoritarianism and to take action against it. Through twenty lessons, Snyder provides a clear understanding of how to recognize and combat tyranny. By refusing to obey in advance, defending institutions, believing in truth, learning from other times and places, investigating, keeping the past alive, appealing to the future, being a localist, being a globalist, being a patriot, being an outsider, being an optimist, being a heretic, being a Corinthian, being a cosmopolitan, being a craftsman, being a thinker, being a doer, being a survivor, and being a witness, readers can take action against tyranny and make a difference. Overall, On Tyranny is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the state of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism in the world today.
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