Seeds of Resistance: A leader’s Guide to Resisting Authoritarianism
“For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.”
-Peru’s General Óscar Benavides.
These words, chilling in their simplicity, encapsulate the essence of authoritarianism. When the rule of law becomes a tool for oppression, and power is wielded arbitrarily, those who believe in democratic values face a daunting challenge. Today, American leaders in the public sector, non-profit organizations, and higher education find themselves grappling with this very reality. Funding cuts, culling the leadership of independent regulatory agencies, and the pausing of vital programs that threaten many of the services supporting citizens. Leaders at the state and local level are navigating huge uncertainty around funding, surrounded by a rising tide of authoritarian actions. Today’s leaders face tremendous complexity. Let’s look closer at one aspect of this leadership challenge and sketch out a framework for how they can remain connected to their values.What does effective leadership look like during these uncertain times?
USAID headquarters after shutdown. Previously these frames displayed pictures of the agency's projects around the world. Photo courtesy John Hudson
The idea of freedom has always been key to understanding the politics of power in the United States. Freedom has been used as a rallying cry for collective action during the civil rights movement and to maintain the ability of the press to hold those in power accountable. Ironically, freedom has also been used to justify oppression and persecution in our country. This was the case as slaveholders’ declared their “freedom” to own slaves as a property right, and when the “freedom of association” was used to uphold Jim Crow era segregation. The idea of “freedom” was also laid forth by settlers to forcibly displace indigenous people under the concept of manifest destiny. What does it mean for today’s leaders when they hear the powerful word “freedom” used to justify action? Whose freedom is it? As Toni Morrison wrote in her children’s poem The Big Box:
“I know you are smart, and I know that you think
You are doing what is best for me.
But if freedom is handled only your way,
then it’s not my freedom or free.”
Effective leaders think more precisely about freedom and its implications in their communities. We can look to Isaiah Berlin’s Two Concepts of Liberty, from a 1958 Oxford University lecture, to understand how the concept of freedom can be used to liberate or to smother citizens. In his lecture, Berlin lays out two ways that the idea of freedom can inform our government:
Negative liberty: It can be used to ensure citizens have “freedom from” things that prevent them from attaining their goals; and
Positive liberty: It can ensure that citizens have “freedom to” do things that they wish to do–the idea of self-determination or agency.
Why does this even matter? Making this distinction is helpful amid rising authoritarianism because it can help leaders clarify the nature of the threat to their mission, make strategic decisions, protect themselves from manipulation, and maintain moral clarity. Let’s look closer at leadership for freedom using Berlin’s lens.
Negative liberty is the right to be free from interference or barriers, e.g. freedom of speech or religion.
How to Lead for "Negative Liberty"
For Berlin “freedom from” means that a citizen may act without being obstructed by others. Libertarians such as Locke and Mill in England and Constant and Tocqueville in France thought there “ought to exist a certain minimum area of personal freedom which must on no account be violated.” How can a leader ensure this freedom from obstruction within their organization? Here’s a framework:
1). Identify the Limits: It’s important for leaders navigating an increasingly autocratic environment to acknowledge the constraints they face. Identify the specific limitations of “freedom from.” This includes recognizing the erosion of due process, the chilling effect of censorship, and the insidious nature of disinformation. Understanding these limitations is not an act of surrender, but a necessary step towards strategic resistance. It allows leaders to assess the risks and define the boundaries within which your organization can operate effectively.
2). Resist Strategically: Even under pressure, leaders can find subtle ways to protect "freedom from." This might involve:
Creating and maintaining private spaces for critical thinking and strategic planning.
Building trusted networks for information sharing and mutual support.
Employing coded language or symbolic actions to express dissent, while remaining within legal boundaries, such as referencing shared cultural touchstones or local history.
Documenting all actions taken, and the reasons for those actions, to provide a record for future use.
These actions, while seemingly small, can create pockets of resistance that preserve the ability to act with integrity.
3). Preserve Moral Integrity: By consciously defending "freedom from" coercion, leaders safeguard their moral compass. Effective leaders resist the pressure to compromise on core values, even when faced with significant risks. They understand that integrity is their most powerful weapon, and in times like these, it is essential to hold fast to it.
Positive liberty is the citizen's right to self-determination, e.g. voting or become educated in an area of interest.
How Leaders Cultivate "Positive Liberty"
Berlin describes positive liberty as the “wish [that] my life and decisions depend on myself, not on external forces.” This aspect of freedom comes from the citizen’s agency, their motivation, and self-mastery. How do effective leaders cultivate positive liberty?
1). They Empower Others: Even in an environment that seeks to suppress agency, leaders can cultivate "freedom to" within their spheres of influence. This means empowering others to act autonomously and develop their potential. Leaders might do this through:
Mentoring and educating individuals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
Creating spaces for open dialogue and collaboration, where diverse perspectives are valued.
Delegating authority and encouraging initiative, fostering a culture of empowerment.
2). They Build Alternative Structures: Leaders can work to create alternative social and informational structures that foster "freedom to." This might involve:
Supporting independent media outlets and cultural initiatives that promote critical thinking and open discourse.
Building community networks for mutual support and resource sharing.
Promoting education and civic engagement, empowering individuals to participate in shaping their communities.
3). They Act as a Moral Example: By demonstrating "freedom to" through their actions, effective leaders inspire others to resist passivity and embrace agency. This might involve:
Speaking truth to power when opportunities arise, even when it carries risks.
Supporting those who are marginalized or vulnerable, standing in solidarity with those who are under attack.
Continuing to act in accordance with our values, even when it seems that those values are under attack.
4). They Maintain Hope: Autocratic systems, for all their apparent strength, are inherently fragile. By focusing on building the foundations of a freer society, we can help bring about change, even if that change is slow. Planting seeds of hope and resilience is a powerful act of resistance. Living within an environment that is turning toward authoritarianism can be emotionally and mentally taxing. It is vital to maintain hope, and to help those we lead maintain hope. Hope is not a passive emotion, it is a powerful tool.
Isaiah Berlin’s primary insight is that true freedom requires both negative and positive liberty. It's not enough to simply have the absence of external constraints; individuals must also have the capacity and resources to exercise their freedom meaningfully.
By leading toward both "freedom from" and "freedom to," leaders can navigate the challenges of authoritarianism while upholding their core values. Resonant leaders remember that even in the darkest of times, the light of democracy can still shine. Though the path ahead may be long and difficult, their commitment to these principles will lay the foundation for a future where freedom and justice prevail. It is an act of leadership to plant these seeds of resistance, knowing that they will grow into a more vibrant and resilient democracy. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and plant some seeds.
