The odd American idea that giving money to political campaigns is free speech means that the very rich have far more speech, and so in effect far more voting power, than other citizens.

This quote comes from Lesson 3, “Beware the one-party state.” Snyder is describing the process (which is not always public) by which individuals, businesses, and corporations in the United States can donate money to political campaigns. Such donations have few regulations and are often defended as a form of free speech. Unfortunately, since wealthy people and organizations can donate more money, they can garner more influence and favors from the politicians they are supporting. This creates even further disparity between the top and bottom of the socioeconomic spectrum, since donating money in exchange for political favor is quite commonplace.

Fascists despised the small truths of daily existence, loved slogans that resonated like a new religion, and preferred creative myths to history or journalism.

This quote comes at the end of Lesson 10, “Believe in truth.” It describes how fascists try to appeal to people’s emotions instead of using facts. Historical facts and dedicated journalists are enemies to a fascist regime that wants to create a narrative version of history where abusive policies and actions are often justified by manipulating emotions and personal beliefs. Slogans and phrases from dictators are often inaccurate but create a fervor in the common citizenry and allow the regime to carry out atrocities.

Protests can be organized through social media, but nothing is real that does not end on the streets.

This quote comes from Lesson 13, “Practice corporeal politics.” Snyder states that any protest or social movement that exists entirely online is meaningless. Sharing stories, images, or sentiments across social media might motivate people or cause them to view a situation differently, but it will never impact the behaviors or decisions of large companies or the government. Without protesting in “the streets,” people cannot cause enough disruption to create change.

When we take an active interest in matters of doubtful relevance at moments that are chosen by tyrants, oligarchs, and spooks, we participate in the demolition of our own political order.

This quote comes from Lesson 14, “Establish a private life.” One of the goals of totalitarianism is to remove the separation between public and private life. When citizens become interested in leaked emails or other personal information released to the public, it can shift the public’s view of such individuals, despite the information having little relevance to matters of public concern. Snyder states that no individual’s private life could withstand complete public scrutiny. Tyrants will try to discredit or abuse any opposition through access to their private lives and the ensuing interest that the common public will show.

Modern tyranny is terror management.

This quote comes from the opening of Lesson 18, “Be calm when the unthinkable arrives.” Tyrants and authoritarian regimes will often use a disaster or crisis to accumulate power. By asking citizens to temporarily give up some of their freedoms or accept martial law, such regimes can gain a foothold they in fact plan never to relinquish; martial law and the loss of freedoms will not be temporary. When a government “manages” the terror of a crisis in this way, citizens will be less likely to oppose changes that are detrimental to freedom and democracy.

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