Yale professor Timothy Snyder has spent a long time studying European political history, which makes him well-versed in the rise of fascist movements and autocratic leaders. So this is perhaps why we all should stop and listen when Snyder says time to save America’s democracy is quickly running out. We need to work hard (and quickly) if we want to avoid the same fate as other countries who fell to autocracy.
In an interview with Germany’s largest newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, Snyder said:
The constitution is worth saving, the rule of law is worth saving, democracy is worth saving, but these things can and will be lost if everyone waits around for someone else. If we want encouragement out of the Oval Office, we will not get it. We are not getting encouragement thus far from Republicans. They have good reasons to defend the republic but thus far they are not doing so, with a few exceptions. You want to end on a positive note, I know; but I think things have tightened up very fast, we have at most a year to defend the Republic, perhaps less. What happens in the next few weeks is very important.
I know the information overload has been a lot for liberals to handle, but that’s why we have to keep it up. Staying on Trump and his people is more important than ever.
To read more from Snyder, check out his Slate piece showing the parallels between Hitler’s and Trump’s rises to power.