On Freedom

Outline

On Freedom (2024) asks what freedom really means and what it takes to sustain it. Timothy Snyder argues that freedom is not simply the absence of government, but the ability to act on our values, which depends on conditions such as security, trust, knowledge, and the capacity to shape our own lives. Drawing on history, philosophy, and his travels, the book offers a positive vision of a free society.

• Freedom is not just the absence of government; it is the ability to act on your own values.
• Acting on your values depends on conditions such as security, trust and knowledge, not on being left alone.
• Being free also means having the capacity to shape your own life, not just avoiding outside interference.
• Snyder draws on history, philosophy and his own travels to build a positive picture of a free society.

Timothy Snyder is an American historian known for his work on the history of Central and Eastern Europe and on democracy and authoritarianism. He taught for many years at Yale University. His books include Bloodlands, On Tyranny, and On Freedom.