A Republic, If You Can Keep It: Masha Gessen Talks Autocracy with Timothy Snyder

Government by the people is a powerful and beautiful system, but one that is not impervious to threats. Two political thought leaders, Russian-American journalist and author of the forthcoming "The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Retook Russia," Masha Gessen, and esteemed academic and author of "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century," Timothy Snyder, sit down to discuss the global rise of nationalism and America's political future.
Thursday, May 25, 2017

[@peterdollins3610]

Great to hear two brilliant minds taking on the most important questions of our time. Here.

[@jonasklingberg822]

Reading this from the vantage point of February 2020 is eerie, to say the least.

[@rickvancleave1224]

sept same year how weak does this great country now look ?

[@corinnakern]

Even eerier in February 2022, at the abyss of a possible third world war, watching from Austria

[@reidwhitton6248]

@@corinnakern What Snyder said about autocrats undermining democratic institutions with consent is what concerns me. Trump is still out there repeating the big lie, attacking NATO, praising Putin, with silence and complicity from the GOP.

[@corinnakern]

@@reidwhitton6248 Yes, I am aware of this! I too, am conform with Timothy Snyder.

[@kevinleecaster2698]

Snyder's comment on Republicans not splitting from Trump until something entirely unprecedented happening and even then only a few of them at the most even then was spot on.

[@KamWTeo]

Eye roll by Tim upon hearing, "American Exceptionalism!" Priceless.

[@spacelemur7955]

Good Greif! Here in 2023, and these two are still speaking of the present.

[@neccowaif9]

YES! My 2 favorite deep looker big thinkers on on Russia/US! Thank you for presenting this talk. These are the folks we'll look back and see were right. Both offer an intellectual honesty that is rarely seen in public discourse. Together! I know this doesn't make the Trump go away, but it does feel so good, comforting even, to hear these bright minds pulling to contextualize for us.

[@emilykrahn3185]

Gaia So Yes both are so good and unfortunately correct.

[@larrysingleton2864]

"Both offer an intellectual honesty that is rarely seen in public discourse." You're kidding right? Have you checked out Snyder's You Tube videos? They're ALL "Comments are disabled for this video." Every One of them. I found this blowhard while researching another "professor"; Joanna Brooks. Who plugs his book on "Tyranny". What kind of credibility can you expect from people who have closed Fakebook and You Tube pages? This Brooks is another "professor" who whitewashes Islam while bashing America, our founding fathers and our US Constitution. This hypocrite Snyder actually uses the Ten Commandments to back up his bullshit "Merry Christmas" lecture. See above for link. Read my comments above.

[@paulandrewmonson]

Go read a book Larry. You might start with the bible.

[@mssouth1964]

@@larrysingleton2864 i agree this guy has absolutly no credibility

[@larrysingleton2864]

@@paulandrewmonson Meaning.....?

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

My 2 favourites Tim & Masha

[@viviannization]

Two brilliant minds.

[@saladfatoosh2293]

You should probably dig out the Declaration of Independence and study it. These two speak well and carry themselves well but they are by no means brilliant. They don't know the difference between a republic and a democracy. You should!

[@steppenwolf3252]

And avoid our ego fears and the guilt and/or prejudices. It's amazing how similar Putin is in his autocracy. I never dreamed they'd be so similar in many of their behaviors. It explained a lot (and if you listen to Trump he often lets the truth slip himself but we ignore it.

[@ennediend2865]

Thank you great video 👍 I love to listen to these two ! From France🇨🇵

[@keithforbis4795]

This is profoundly good and needs to have wayyyyy more views.

[@appletree6898]

"If it's Hitler, we can't do anything, and if it's not Hitler, we don't need to do anything." Brilliant. That *is* how people deal with Trump.

[@sonjak8265]

How do they deal with Biden, Macron, Trudeau, and Klaus Schwab?

[@katherenewedic8076]

Thank you

[@matthew-jy5jp]

Two brilliant authors and speakers. Masha is so knowledgeable about putin and russia. And the same is true for Tim, so knowledgeable about eastern Europe and the baltic states. Read the blood lands because it's happening again now

[@matthew-jy5jp]

I would love to attend some of tim and masha lectures or talks or whatever you want to call them. I'm fascinated by the subject matter. And how Ukraine is still the top of Putin's list

[@conradfrost3468]

Election night 2016 I was working at the time in a laboratory. It was on the West Coast. Everyone had gone home and I was the only one left there, watching the election returns on my computer. When they announced that Trump had won Florida I knew that the orange madman had clinched the election. I ran to the bathroom and vomited.

[@kimberlyhock581]

She is so right about 51:00. The difference between Trump followers and the rest of us is that we do here different opinions. We look at several sources. We search for the actual truth even when it doesnt match our opinions.. As long as they can find someone saying what they feel even without proof that is good enough for them.

[@jimmims5622]

This is an utterly ignorant statement

[@janicegullett4939]

This is why you can't talk to Trump followers because they have no ability to consider other information even if it is factual history with proof. You can show photos, graphs, news clippings or scientific data with history and they will still come back with their conspiracy theory cult lies.

[@steppenwolf3252]

And don't believe in the teachings of Christianity just say you do.

[@BobDingus-bh3pd]

😂😂😂😂 Good god. Now I see even Timothy’s audience is susceptible to “eternity politics.” No one is safe

[@houdinididiit]

And here we are a few years since this discussion, post J6 with a newly sworn in 'republican' majority congress, every single one of them an election denier or an outright instigator of J6. To boot, some citizens of Brazil stormed their own congress today in similar fashion all because their autocratic style president lost. We are in serious need of more conversations like this.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

"Cantina Band" Anyone else catch that?

[@steppenwolf3252]

Cafe bands. No biggie.

[@manatee3000]

I love these two, but would also be great to have David Satter in the same conversation.

[@TheBalterok]

It’s worthy to look over these old videos to check up on the “brilliance” of mind of these tinkers. Now the question is “who expected Biden/Harris to win”. Is it really the 50/50?

[@KaritKtana]

1:05:46 - indeed, Mr Snyder

[@steppenwolf3252]

We need more literary info and reading vs. watching b.s on TV. We must cultivate community and facts vs. b.s. tv shows.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Bernie went on Fox and got standing ovation from the Right. Blew my tiny mind. We should have chosen him but the Corporate Dems would never agree. Get the $$$ out of our elections.

[@steppenwolf3252]

We have no way to create change when our politicians do their donors will and not the will of their voters.

[@pamphleteering8528]

...does this video begin with the Star Wars Cantina music?

[@steppenwolf3252]

Who cares silly billy? Focus or turn off the music.

[@Zwurbelbart]

This aged well

[@steppenwolf3252]

Choose goals and not party.

[@etg1552]

There are interests of particular groups and historians do not learn, they just keep studying. The darkest place is under the lantern.

[@steppenwolf3252]

If we cannot acknowledge our history, we are condemned to repeat it.

[@wojtekjj1803]

Piotr Cywinski, the director of the Auschwitz museum, said the New Yorker article “contains so many lies and distortions that I find it a bit hard to believe that it is a coincidence.” "Furthermore, when it concerns the Holocaust, any distortion of historical truth is very dangerous. This applies to all forms of denial, revisionism and deformation of historical truth,” Cywinski said" You are Liar not serious journalist.

[@danhurley9028]

Tim Snyder is heroically correct. Unfortunately

[@lyndamackrous7158]

dan hurley yes his head is in the past living in the present thank goodness clinton didn’t win does he believe that trump wants an autiritarrian US for his 7 grandchildren accept that trump won clinton was running her own government from her basement

[@lyndamackrous7158]

Trumps plan is to pur Americans back to work bring back American money back to America

[@saraoswald4257]

lynda mackrous keep dreaming

[@Mikaboba100]

@@lyndamackrous7158 Why would you trust a person who can't get a loan from a single American bank with the economy?

[@angangieangela5216]

This 🎤💧 is 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@steppenwolf3252]

Party politics and the media too.

[@steppenwolf3252]

24 hr b.s. TV killed our ability to think for ourselves.

[@jalatlaco9827]

Students of totalitarianism knew he would win-chilling

[@hazelwray5307]

win-chilling or win - chilling

[@CharylCurryGargel]

Yes ..chilling

[@1995tom2010]

Masha's finishing comment about Italy looks painfully naive given more recent events.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Encourage debate with Dems supporting Trump and REpubs supporting B iden. It's eye opening.

[@helenhunter4540]

Macha said "lostness", not "loneliness".

[@helenhunter4540]

Masha

[@jvs333]

My only criticism of her is she’s too obsessed with wanting to keep an objectivity, that it overlooks things that may challenge her objectivity. Her wanting to dismiss Russia’s actual interest in putting trump in the White House, considering he owed Russia “billions” since the 80s and Putin/Russia’s interest with geopolitical strategic interests. Then there’s the 2013 Moscow pageant where I happen to think this entire trump/Putin thing actually began. I think she’s trying too hard to be so objectively “fair and balance” causes her to ignore certain realities that were/are in play. Truth is truth it does not worry about objectivity. Mr. Snyder is hitting it more on the mark while she’s working more on trying to be objective. Truth is not about objectivity, it is a cold truth regardless of objectivity. Sometimes objectivity is an exercise in justifying things rather than accepting what is real. Tim Snyder has it 100% accurate

[@steppenwolf3252]

If you listen to more of her work you'll see she has addressed that. We must get $$$ and TV out of our politics

[@kaygenio2129]

I adore everything Mr. Snyder says..but I'm puzzled at his passing statement, ".... 'cause psychiatry is a form of prison..." . Too bad this is from 2017. I wonder what he meant?

[@aceofcups3493]

He's using Foucault's understanding of psychology/psychiatry as a novel historical invention used to impose a dualism that revolves around control / power

[@ibeamish1]

Yes, and he's using it in a cheap shot, shallow manner .

[@jzinser-mandala9117]

I also knew Trump was going to win, but my process was very intuitive and based to a great extent on familiarity with psychopaths.

[@jaydiddat2127]

So trump voters R psychopaths?

[@cassieo4337]

It wasn't hard to conclude that the 2008 economic crisis would bring about a populist uprising. History teaches us as much.

[@williamyoung9401]

A LISTICAL? "NO! You use REAL words. Internet stuff is NOT real words!" =P

[@bomberfox5232]

The party of Lincoln is dead

[@moodist1er]

No its not, you just don't understand Lincoln's party.

[@jaydiddat2127]

U wish. The radical faction of the Republican Party is back, why was reconstruction stopped? Who stopped it? Who erected those monuments to the loser of the civil war all across this nation?

[@bomberfox5232]

@@jaydiddat2127 fascists are back. Andrew Johnson is often credited with sabotaging reconstruction. The daughters of the confederacy as well as other confederate offshoots. They reside in the republican party today. Learn to spell before pretending to lecture me on fucking history dipshit.

[@bomberfox5232]

@@jaydiddat2127 list of democrats who switched parties during the southern strategy.1960s - Arthur Ravenel, Jr., South Carolina State Representative, later U.S. Representative from South Carolina (1987-1995) 1960s - James F. Byrnes, former Governor of South Carolina (1951-1955) and United States Secretary of State (1945-1947) 1960 - Claude R. Kirk, Jr., later Governor of Florida (1967-1971) 1960 - Charlton Lyons 1961 - Perle Mesta, former United States Ambassador to Luxembourg (1949-1953) 1962 - Dave Treen, later U.S. Representative from Louisiana (1973-1980) and Governor of Louisiana (1980-1984) 1962 - Jack M. Cox, former Texas State Representative 1962 - James D. Martin, later U.S. Representative from Alabama (1965-1967) 1962 - Ronald Reagan, while an actor and former Screen Actors Guild president.[4] Later 40th President of the United States (1981-1989) 1962 - Floyd Spence, South Carolina State Representative, later a U.S. Representative from South Carolina (1971-2001) 1963 - Rubel Phillips, former Mississippi Public Service Commissioner 1963 - Stanford Morse, Mississippi State Senator 1963 - James H. Boyce 1964 - Alfred Goldthwaite, Alabama State Representative 1964 - Clarke Reed 1964 - Howard Callaway, later U.S. Representative from Georgia (1965-1967) and United States Secretary of the Army (1973-1975) 1964 - Iris Faircloth Blitch, former Georgia U.S. Representative (1955-1963) 1964 - Charles W. Pickering, later Mississippi State senator and Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (2004) 1964 - Strom Thurmond, while U.S. senator from South Carolina (1954-2003).[5] 1965 - Albert W. Watson, while U.S. Representative from South Carolina (1963-1971) (resigned before switching parties and regained his seat in a special election) 1965 - Roderick Miller, Louisiana State Representative 1966 - Marshall Parker, South Carolina State Senator 1966 - Joseph O. Rogers, Jr., South Carolina State Representative 1966 - Thomas A. Wofford, former U.S. Senator from South Carolina (1956) 1966 - Len E. Blaylock, later U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Arkansas (1975-1978) 1966 - Jerry Thomasson, Arkansas State Representative 1966 - Henry Grover, Texas State Representative 1967 - Thad Cochran, U.S. Senator from Mississippi 1978-present, US Representative from Mississippi's 4th District 1967 - William E. Dannemeyer, later U.S. Representative from California (1979-1992) 1967 - Allison Kolb, former Louisiana State Auditor (1952-1956) 1968 - William Reynolds Archer, Jr., while a Texas State Senator, later U.S. Representative from Texas (1971-2001) 1968 - Will Wilson, former Attorney General of Texas (1957-1963) 1968 - James L. Bentley, Comptroller General of Georgia (1963-1971) 1968 - Gerald J. Gallinghouse, later United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana (1970-1978) the list goes on.

[@jaydiddat2127]

@@bomberfox5232 key word is democrats who switched and further corrupted and infiltrated the GOP. They are known as rhinos

[@Johnconno]

Gore Vidal said it much better, but he was Gore Vidal.🇺🇸

[@johnhoward6393]

The Democratic party needs new leadership - whatever happens.

[@henrysandoval4733]

After hearing all this writers about trump. I have reached one conclusion. We're screwed.

[@euphoriceuler]

Actually, no, not yet. The future is not written yet, so we can and will make a difference.

[@euphoriceuler]

i recommend watching this interview kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJuTc2iLjdN0lcU

[@Longtack55]

If (mostly) Americans could just stop following every phrase with "right" as an assertion which we must agree with I would be happier (sob.)

[@steppenwolf3252]

Change the labels and decide what you support. This is beyond party.

[@D_isco_D_ancer]

4:00 Also people who fled failed states where autocratic regimes have flourished. They know exactly how is the roadmap and the process to autocracy. And for those who think that now with Biden the threat is over, think again. Even is Trump doesn't run or win the constant threat of autocracy in America is from now on a reality. Thanks to all those GOP voters who want it to happen.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Get $$$ out of our elections. Bernie should have been Pres. He was for our forgotten workers just like Trump. With practical policies and ways to make it work.

[@BobDingus-bh3pd]

They completely dismiss that their side of the isle might have done something wrong to lead people to vote for T. I thought the lesson from WW2 is not to pre-commit to any one party or ideology with certainty? Kind of disappointing to hear this stuff from Snyder

[@yvonnem.langlois5197]

This true about historians.

[@clarekelly7398]

Snyder repeats the status quo mantra about the "Russian influence". He talks as if he's hearing nothing of what Masha is saying, he carries on without overtly dismissing Masha's points, but by simply ignoring them (re "Russian influence") and by plowing forward repeating the mantra of "Russian influence." It's the Snyders of the media and status quo that control the narrative and throw a wrench into movement toward progress and public understanding of our current political situation.

[@Mikaboba100]

It's because Russia did the same thing in the Ukraine. Snyder wrote extensively about it.

[@mssouth1964]

he is a political hack

[@steppenwolf3252]

Listen again.

[@irenefinnigan2725]

❤

[@JudyFayLondon]

Unfortunately, his followers don't think or refuse to admit that Trump is very like Hitler, that if he's re-elected, he would never leave.

[@mainstreet3023]

Sci fi odyssey

[@markpong5435]

Jews like Masha we "Nebekh a Jew".

[@Beretta249]

Amusingly anti-universalism is _very_ post-modern. This isn't nearly as pervasive an issue on the Left as it is with the Right, but it's there.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Perhaps no more party and just vote for the legislation we want

[@jimmims5622]

Comey "lives in a world of rules"? Tell it to the FISA court

[@steppenwolf3252]

We did but if only watch Trump or Fox you would not be aware of that. Your comment illustrates the importance of facts. You can spin your opinion but you should have known the FISA thing was debunked long ago, bro.

[@douglassczygelski8667]

If black voter turnout had been as high for Hillary as it was for Obama, Hillary would've won, so the crucial question is why blacks were so unenthusiastic about Hillary. Gessen and Snyder never address that question.

[@danhurley9028]

When will trump go after them?

[@joeytranchina8839]

Trump is on the run. If his open criminality evades investigation the rule of law is finished in the US.

[@steppenwolf3252]

He already has. No truth, no lies, no up and no down. No facts and no evidence. no rules no laws. So we give up even trying. That must stop.

[@foucault8964]

Funny that women and blacks destroyed Hillary’s chances. Show up to vote.

[@patrickvernon4766]

This “women” thinks her side has expertise, deep thought, and competence lol. Is this why you ban my friends off the internet from having a debate?

[@patrick6110]

Brilliant when he talks about the Ukraine and the 20th century, Tim seems often not quite on point when he discusses current events. The other person, is that a young boy who aged rapidly? sounds like the most self centered person you'll meet on KZbin. This is a really uninteresting perspective on the shift to the right and the quest for authority of a visible chunk of the population in the West. Don't look for either a clear explanation nor for a solution in this video. It's all about "opinions" at the lowest level of clarity.

[@cultphetus]

This has got to be the most maudlin catastrophizing that I have heard in while. I can't believe anyone can take these two seriously!

[@steppenwolf3252]

perhaps you're not ready to accept the truth yet...Give it a few days...think about it....don't feel judged or wrong. Just think about it and try again. It's not easy when we've been so brainwashed by b.s. for years. And it takes a little work and don't worry , you can change your mind later if you want.

[@steppenwolf3252]

If you value our Democracy, these truths are absolutely necessary. If you cannot support Democracy then America is not for you. Plain and simple and that's your choice.

[@BobDingus-bh3pd]

“If you don’t vote for my candidate you’re basically Hitler…” -Timothy Snyder, World Renowned WW2 Historian

[@Vibeagain]

This guy is a fool in that he doesn't get there's a new world order threat and he keeps exagerating / pinning this on the wrong person. This womans hair looks terrible

[@sonjak8265]

He promotes NWO. It is the best bet when you are ambitious and do not have a talent.

[@Vibeagain]

@@sonjak8265 boy I'd be waking up and smelling the coffee to that, Chester

[@larrysingleton2864]

It's interesting. I just went through all of Snyder's You Tube videos where comments are usually welcome. No such luck. "Comments are disabled for this video." On every one of his You Tube videos. Big surprise, right? Do you happen to know what this kind of one way messaging is called? Where you talk and everybody has no choice but to listen. I do. It's called "propaganda". This is part of a message I left on the "professors" Fakebook page which is also blocked to all but his slobbering psychophants. Oh yeah! "Professor" Snyder is supposed to be an "expert" on the "Holocaust". I discovered this "Professor of History" while researching another "professor" who happens to plug Snyder's book on "Tyrants" and who wrote an "Introduction" to "The life of Olaudah Equiano/Gustavus Vassa". A book I just ordered and bought online the other day. "Professor" Joanna Brooks bashes our Founding Fathers, goes on and on about the "American slave trade" then goes on to sing the praises of Islam. "Islam". Probably responsible for the mass murder of more people than Mao, Stalin and Hitler combined. Including 80 million Hindus. Whose history of slavery and inflicting human misery has spanned more than 1,400 years and continues to this day. I mentioned to Snyder that in a Google search of his name and "Islam" I came up with absolutely Zilch, Nada, Nothing. And suggested he compare himself with real historians like Bat Ye'or, Andrew Bostom, Hugh Fitzgerald and Robert Spencer. "Professor" Snyder and other liberals have infested and ruined our schools and colleges. I'm really curious to see what this guy has to say about saying "Merry Christmas". The left has done nothing but try and destroy everything decent in this country, including our traditions, Christian beliefs, our character and values. They want a socialist utopia where they can inflict the type of "freedom" they have on their personal "social media" pages on the rest of America; Where they talk, you listen, and obey or die.

[@larrysingleton2864]

Here's Snyder's "talk" on "Merry Christmas: Timothy Snyder Speaks, ep. 5: Christianity and Christmas kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6e6ZKWCmZloetk And of course he can't resist using it as an opportunity to bash Trump. Which is apparently what his book on "Tyranny" is all about; Bashing Trump. I sit here and get pissed that here's this "professor" pontificating on our beliefs and traditions yet he does it on a venue that is supposed to invite discussion and debate which he has chosen to CLOSE. You'll also notice that the difference between this blowhard and people like Robert Spencer, Andrew Bostom and Hugh Fitzgerald is that this guy blathers on and on and on and on before finally getting to his point. I call this "mental masturbation". And liberals are very, very, very good at that. Especially when it comes to the "self-gratification" part. It's all about them. With Obummer it was "I" "my" "me" and "mine" All The F-ing Time. Listen to his speeches and actually count how many times the word "I" and "my" is used. "Mealy Mouth" is the one way I'd describe his little "Merry Christmas" talk. And actually he seems to give all the reasons, even incredibly using the Bible and Ten Commandments as examples, to NOT say Merry Christmas. Or at least, keeping "the other" in mind when you do say "Merry Christmas". And again, it's hard to understand exactly where he stands on this because he seemed to go all the way across the map when trying to make his point. Which, I think, he never did. And again; Listen to this and wonder about why he closed the comments.

[@appletree6898]

Your posts make it very clear why he closed the comments.

[@Mikaboba100]

Why do you need to comment on a lecture? Watch it with a friend and discuss it. The comment section isn't the real world. It's filled with attention seeking phonies who get off on shit stirring. If you want to discuss it, find someone to discuss it with.

[@wradsopken417]

I don't understand the fad of Snyder's popularity. I don't think he brings anything new whatsoever and sounds extremely self-censored. This guy has no intellectual courage of any kind. And on the matter of Russia he does not know one inch more than say Garry Kasparov, on the contrary.

[@KuroNekoExMachina]

Historian, speaks and reads 6+ languages, wrote several important history books. Education and facts know you are wrong, but dont let that stop you.

[@steppenwolf3252]

Find someone who speaks to you Wrad. But always consider the source and get at least 3 different valid sources. Of course re: fisa GO to court docs and other valid sources (not Trump FB or Fox ).

[@sonjak8265]

CIA promotes him.

[@silasbarreto6407]

Hare Krishna. Two very confused intellectuals using many expensive words to say nothing of value. Their basic problem is that they are putting collectivism above individualism. Dealing with and solving individual problems makes for better individuals and consequently a stronger collective group. Conversly ,focusing on the collective groups ie: gender groups, race groups, idealogical groups etc.... causes conflict, division and instability within the population as a whole and therefore does not make for stronger individuals . Trump undestands this basic truth and that puts him light years ahead of progressives intellectually. Hare Krishna

[@mssouth1964]

i heard yesterday that they found out that 350million $ was givin to universities all across america from china. what was china wanting for that 350million maybe pushing collectivism. which this scumbag is part of. this religion of collectivism is the most dangerous in the whole history of mankind put together. and it is a religion

[@mssouth1964]

and these people are their preachers

[@steppenwolf3252]

They are not confused but it tyakes a little practice to exersice one's brain if one is only watching Fox News. HOwever you can do it silas and once you get your brain into shape it's fuin! kinda like your weight

[@CaliforniaGirl-qk5kq]

Dialectics - she can skew anything anyway she want. Excellent propagandist. Keep in mind Bolshevism in Russia was envisioned and implemented by Jews.

[@jovobobici5731]

Masha nd Snyder, what we are interested in is which branch of yours ancestors mixed with monkeys? And yours intellectual regurgitation about Europeans and above all about Russians and the Slavic world is of no interest to anyone. Community Verified icon