On Freedom

by Timothy Snyder

The Russian case might serve as a warning. In the twenty-first century, American capitalism has also been driven toward monopoly, wealth concentration, and decadence. When we think that we are exceptional in our devotion to freedom, our overconfidence makes us vulnerable to the propaganda of tyrants pitched at what we want to hear. If we believe that freedom is negative, the problem is only a barrier outside, and never our own lack of judgment. When I returned to the United States in 2014 after a year away, I was struck (as were my Ukrainian and Russian friends) by how well Russian social media functioned in American politics. That Americans had been fooled by Russia about Ukraine was bad enough. But in 2015 and 2016 Americans were fooled by Russians about other Americans. In 2016 the oligarchical American presidential candidate won, with Russian assistance.

Misinterpreting Russia with the idea of 'negative freedom.'