Episode

Is democracy doomed? The global fight for our future | Timothy Snyder
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34:36
Published: Wed Feb 08 2023
Description

If you think democracy is some kind of inevitable, default setting for the world, then you aren't going to have it for very long, says historian and author Timothy Snyder. From World War I to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Snyder dives into the structures that uplift and tear down political systems, offering a historical perspective on the current state of democracy around the world as well as the patterns of thought that lead to tyranny. Learn more about a new approach to democracy that could help create and protect a future of freedom. (This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member.)

Chapters
The perception of democracy as a default state of affairs brought by outside forces loses sight of the struggle that democracy truly is.
00:00 - 06:48 (06:48)
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Democracy
Summary

The perception of democracy as a default state of affairs brought by outside forces loses sight of the struggle that democracy truly is. Analyzing democracy as a product of larger powers such as capitalism is not just an analytical mistake, but a loss of understanding the true nature of democracy as a constant battle for freedom.

Episode
Is democracy doomed? The global fight for our future | Timothy Snyder
Podcast
TED Talks Daily
This podcast episode discusses the deep tradition of defending democracy and how it has evolved over time, from ancient Greek times to the modern day.
06:48 - 16:20 (09:31)
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Democracy
Summary

This podcast episode discusses the deep tradition of defending democracy and how it has evolved over time, from ancient Greek times to the modern day. It touches on the importance of treating democracy as a responsibility rather than just a right, especially in the face of tyrannical politics that value procedures over democracy itself.

Episode
Is democracy doomed? The global fight for our future | Timothy Snyder
Podcast
TED Talks Daily
The speaker discusses the threats to democracy in the present time and compares them with the threats during the World Wars and the Great Depression.
16:20 - 28:12 (11:52)
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Democracy
Summary

The speaker discusses the threats to democracy in the present time and compares them with the threats during the World Wars and the Great Depression. He also emphasizes the importance of conventions that allow people to express themselves and the need to move away from the idea that high technology will necessarily advance society.

Episode
Is democracy doomed? The global fight for our future | Timothy Snyder
Podcast
TED Talks Daily
The speaker emphasizes the importance of modeling democracy and teaching the values of freedom and democracy when discussing topics such as climate change rather than focusing on a future with limited choices or a negative outcome.
28:12 - 33:54 (05:42)
listen on SpotifyListen on Youtube
Democracy
Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of modeling democracy and teaching the values of freedom and democracy when discussing topics such as climate change rather than focusing on a future with limited choices or a negative outcome.

Episode
Is democracy doomed? The global fight for our future | Timothy Snyder
Podcast
TED Talks Daily