Lessons On Tyranny
Contributed by Nan Potts
There was a time when “everyone” knew the meaning of tyranny. By definition (Webster’s College Dictionary), it is — (noun), the arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority. To others, an oppressive or unjust government and more so, undue harshness or severity. Yet at one time not too long ago, tyranny was known as the abuse of power.
Currently, this word is being used frequently, usually describing opposing political parties. It seems everyone these days have varying views of power and its use or abuse of it. Why? If history teaches, and it can if one pays attention to it, there are lessons we can take away and use to provide for a better world.
The Problem? History of tyranny has not been taught. On average, it takes two generations before a history fades into the ages, unless it is taught. A few years ago, I had an elementary teacher relate to me how history isn’t taught until high school because the information was not pertinent to modern times. Really?
This leads me to a pocket chapbook I discovered while perusing a “Free Books” bookcase, On Tyranny (Twenty Lessons From The Twentieth Century) by Timothy Snyder, 2017. What caught my eye was his prologue, History and Tyranny. He opens with, “History does not repeat, but it does instruct. As the Founding Fathers debated our Constitution, they took instruction from the history they knew. Concerned that the democratic republic they envisioned would collapse, they contemplated the descent of ancient democracies and republics into oligarchy and empire. As they knew, Aristotle warned that inequality brought instability, while Plato believed the demagogues exploited free speech to install themselves as tyrants. Founding a democratic republic upon law and establishing a system of checks and balances, the Founding Fathers sought to avoid the evil that they, like ancient philosophers, called tyranny.” This sparked my interest. I recall learning about these basic concepts, in much simpler terms, in the third grade.
I then turned to the Epilogue, History and Liberty, where Snyder began with quotes from Shakespeare’s drama, Hamlet. “ ‘Time is out of joint,’ says Hamlet, ‘O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!’ ” Is our time out of joint? Have we forgotten history? If we have, are we neglecting it for another? Liberty and our U.S. history are certainly connected.
Thumbing back to where he listed his 21 lessons, which he encourages us to apply to our current events, I scanned the chapter headings (here are a few): Do not obey in advance, Defend Institutions, Beware of the one party state, Believe in truth, Investigate, Practice corporal politics, Learn from peers of other countries, Listen for dangerous words, Be a patriot, Contribute to good causes, and others. I was now hooked to look into these, so called, lessons, and read.
If you’ve read books on Antiracism, Socialism, Marxism, etc., you’ll note they have appeal to a certain audience. However, history has demonstrated these ideologies morph into something else — The oppressed look for a way to lift themselves out of their situation. An ideology will come along with “a” leader to promote it as the only way out. The people respond, rebel, change their system, install a new leader, start to change their social status (maybe), only to find themselves enslaved by their new leader(s). Over time, enough people get fed up with their situation, they rebel and the pattern can repeat. Why? Their ideologies oppose human nature and open pathways to corruption. Yet, corruption can be found anywhere unethical and powerful people take advantage of law and order, ending up with total control, tyranny, opposite of what was promised the people. Flawed ideologies.
Breaking this cycle usually requires revolution, too, for a moral people with an ethical plan to regain liberties lost. Our American Revolution is proof. "There must be a positive Passion for the public good, the public Interest, Honor, Power, and Glory, established in the Minds of the People, or there can be no Republican Government, nor any real Liberty.” — Samuel Adams
Today, we see fascism and communism as responses to globalization. They perceived equalities and amplify the apparent inequalities of representative democratic governments attempting to address them. Both systems, racism and communism, reject reason and truth, rule in the name of will not justice, claim to be the voice of the people, or attempt to guide a society by claiming supposed fixed laws in history. Both, false voices. Both, false truths.
My discoveries within this book? Simple proven truths from factual history. Practical ways to ward off tyranny, when applied with intended spirit. American ideals, values and traditions that brought the United States to greatness, per our U.S. Constitution. Perfection? Certainly not! Even the Founding Fathers could not provide that. Merely, a sincere intention towards minimal government and maximum liberty.
Try this quick read. You will yearn to study more of History and it may even assist your discernment of facts, from falsehoods. History may not repeat itself exactly, but is seems that if we haven't learned out lessons. In the wisdom of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), “Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time and your the government when it deserves it.” — Mark Twain (Samual Clemens)