How does tyranny begin?

 

Exile. Imprisonment. The end of elections. We know what tyranny looks like once it’s underway.

But how does it start?

In the [New York Times] Opinion Video above, you’ll meet people from around the world who missed the warning signs of tyranny taking root in their home countries.

They can see the red flags, in retrospect. And they have a word of caution: The rule of law doesn’t break down overnight, and checks and balances don’t collapse in an instant.

Tyranny takes time.