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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOn Tyranny -- Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
(by Timothy Snyder, 2017, pocket- sized, double spaced, 126 pp)
History does not repeat. But it does instruct. History can familiarize and it can warn...
We might be tempted to think that our democratic heritage automatically protects us from such threats. This is a misguided reflex.
In fact, the precedent set by the the Founders demands that we examine history to understand the deep sources of tyranny, and to consider the proper responses to it.
Americans today are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yeidl to fascism, Nazism, or communism in the twentieth century.
Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience. Now is a good time to do so.
This book presents twenty lessons from the twentieth century, adapted to the circumstances of today.
We might be tempted to think that our democratic heritage automatically protects us from such threats. This is a misguided reflex.
In fact, the precedent set by the the Founders demands that we examine history to understand the deep sources of tyranny, and to consider the proper responses to it.
Americans today are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yeidl to fascism, Nazism, or communism in the twentieth century.
Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience. Now is a good time to do so.
This book presents twenty lessons from the twentieth century, adapted to the circumstances of today.
Chapter Titles:
1. Do not obey in advance.
2. Defend institutions.
3. Beware the one-party state.
4. Take responsibility for the face of the world.
5. Remember professional ethics.
6. Be wary of paramilitaries.
7. Be reflective if you must be armed.
8. Stand out.
9. Be kind to our language.
10.Believe in truth.
11. Investigate.
12. Make eye contact and small talk.
13. Practice corporeal politics.
14. Establish a private life.
15. Contribute to good causes.
16. Learn from peers in other countries.
17. Listen for dangerous words.
18. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.
19. Be a patriot.
20. Be as courageous as you can.
In the future we might literally be the Democratic Underground.
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On Tyranny -- Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (Original Post)
ancianita
Jan 2020
OP
0. When the Nazis START trying to take over your country, you're already at war.
FiveGoodMen
Jan 2020
#2
+1 Defensive force is neither violence nor revolution nor coup. It is defense.
ancianita
Jan 2020
#3
alwaysinasnit
(5,078 posts)1. K&R Thanks for posting.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)2. 0. When the Nazis START trying to take over your country, you're already at war.
Fight, goddamnit!
ancianita
(36,204 posts)3. +1 Defensive force is neither violence nor revolution nor coup. It is defense.
BuddhaGirl
(3,614 posts)4. K & R Thank you!
Good to know. And thanks for including the painting by John Trumbull - I'm a descendant of his and I love this piece!
ancianita
(36,204 posts)5. Me, too! We need to stay clear in forging our future.
BuddhaGirl
(3,614 posts)6. Awesome!!
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,543 posts)7. Even the titles are very informative. Thank you!
ancianita
(36,204 posts)8. Every page explains how. It's not boring reading at all.