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.)

Timothy Snyder: Is democracy doomed? The global fight for our future

Is democracy doomed? The global fight for our future

Democracy thrives not as a static state but through active participation; it's a verb, demanding engagement and responsibility.

Addressing climate change and promoting social equity are essential for sustaining democracy and envisioning a secure, free future.

Democracy is a practice, not a given; engaging actively is essential for its survival and growth in the face of global challenges.

*The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America*

*On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century*

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