Book Review: On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder
This is a great book on how to avoid your country falling into tyranny trap. It illustrates how oppressive regimes worked in the past and what should be done to avoid and crush them in the present and future. Taking examples from European politics in 1920's-1940's under authoritarian governments, it clearly shows that history does not actually repeat itself; it instructs. It instructs us to learn the lessons for our future.
As discussed in the book, our own tradition demands that we examine history to understand the deep sources of tyranny and to consider the proper responses to it. Unfortunately, sometimes people miserably fail to respond to the signs of tyranny. The reasons vary, start from being politically and historically apathetic, oppressive government, or could be anticipatory obedience. The latter is the worst kind that could be a blessing for an authoritarian regime.
Even though this book is written for American fellows, I can’t help but making comparisons to the current political climate in Indonesia while reading this book. Not gonna lie, Indonesia is clearly heading to a tyranny. It began from a lawful elections, political promises and hopeful predictions of how Indonesia will surely be a developed country with strong economic power. I found some points in this book are actually relatable for Indonesia’s case, such as advance obedience (or maybe disobedience?), facts abandonment, and the politics of inevitability. COVID-19 pandemic also worsens the signs and seems to take a toll on the democracy process.
Another plus point from this book is it refers to some great readings I personally like, ranging from short essays to novels, such as George Orwell, Albert Camus, Fyodor Dostoevsky and Václav Havel. Referring to books written even before the Nazis period yet clearly predicting authoritarianism is the real proof that history allows us to see patterns and make judgments.
Overall, this book presents a concise and practical ways to recognize, prevent and destroy tyranny. I would recommend this book to everyone with any sense of freedom. Quoted from the book, “If none of us is prepared to die for freedom, then all of us will die under tyranny.”
*this review has been published on Goodreads.
