Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
When political leaders set a negative example, professional
commitments to just practice become more important. It is hard to subvert a rule-of-law state without lawyers, or to hold show trials without judges. Authoritarians need obedient civil servants, and concentration camp directors seek businessmen interested in cheap labor.
-Timothy Snyder
—————
When political leaders behave badly or unfairly, it’s even more important for professionals like lawyers, judges, and civil servants to stick to fair practices. Why? Because leaders can’t abuse the system or take away people’s rights without the help of these professionals.
For example:
-You can’t destroy a fair legal system unless lawyers and judges agree to go along with it.
-You can’t have fake trials (where the outcome is already decided) without judges willing to ignore justice.
-You can’t run things like forced labor camps unless businesspeople are willing to profit from the unfair system.
In short, bad leaders rely on others to help them carry out harmful plans. If professionals refuse to cooperate and stay committed to fairness and justice, it becomes much harder for authoritarian or abusive systems to take hold.
Pay attention.
When political leaders set a negative example, professional
commitments to just practice become more important. It is hard to subvert a rule-of-law state without lawyers, or to hold show trials without judges. Authoritarians need obedient civil servants, and concentration camp directors seek businessmen interested in cheap labor.
-Timothy Snyder
—————
When political leaders behave badly or unfairly, it’s even more important for professionals like lawyers, judges, and civil servants to stick to fair practices. Why? Because leaders can’t abuse the system or take away people’s rights without the help of these professionals.
For example:
-You can’t destroy a fair legal system unless lawyers and judges agree to go along with it.
-You can’t have fake trials (where the outcome is already decided) without judges willing to ignore justice.
-You can’t run things like forced labor camps unless businesspeople are willing to profit from the unfair system.
In short, bad leaders rely on others to help them carry out harmful plans. If professionals refuse to cooperate and stay committed to fairness and justice, it becomes much harder for authoritarian or abusive systems to take hold.
Pay attention.
