Early Resistance is Difficult; Later Resistance is Deadly

In every authoritarian shift—from Germany to Russia to Venezuela—the window for safe and effective resistance closes quickly. What begins as difficult becomes dangerous, and ultimately, fatal.

“For all of us, the moment will come when we will realize that none of the things we achieved by looking the other way and keeping quiet mattered. The only moments that matter in life are the moments when we’re doing the right thing.” – Alexei Navalny​

Democratic decline does not happen overnight. Would-be authoritarians usually telegraph their intention…