Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy SOLVED! FROM THE ARCHIVES - "Collaborators, Internal Exiles, and Dissidents" (Original Air Date: 01-26-25)
Mar 9, 2026
A lively discussion of why some people collaborate with authoritarian power and how they rationalize it. They explore the temptation to withdraw from politics and when self-care becomes internal exile. The conversation spotlights true dissidents, especially marginalized voices, and urges small collective actions and sustained community as resistance.
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Ask For Valuable Commitments Not Cheap Yeses
- Ask for meaningful commitments, not easy yeses, because people commit when they believe their contribution will really matter.
- Jay! Tomlinson quotes Marshall Ganz: commitments generate more commitments and trivial asks weaken engagement.
Why Intellectuals Embrace Collaboration
- Collaborators often choose conformity because it relieves constant conflict with the state and restores personal stability.
- The Atlantic cites writers who shifted to praising the regime, describing the 'lightness of heart' and regained vigor after accepting collaboration.
Common Rationalizations That Enable Complicity
- People rationalize collaboration with many narratives like 'we can achieve good things' or 'I must stay close to power' to justify complicity.
- The article lists rationalizations including exploiting achievements, protecting the country from the president, personal benefit, and nihilistic 'LOL nothing matters' attitudes.
