America is anxious, and still powerful
As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, it faces another moment of uncertainty. From the beginning, the Founding Fathers saw the United States as both a beacon of liberty and a fragile experiment that could collapse into tyranny or disorder. Throughout its history—despite slavery, civil war, corruption, and global conflicts—the republic has repeatedly overcome crises and emerged stronger, becoming the leading defender of the free world.
Today, however, many Americans fear that the country's political institutions are weakening. Deep partisan divisions have eroded compromise in Congress, while presidential power continues to expand. Echoing Alexis de Tocqueville's observations nearly two centuries ago, many worry that the balance of powers is giving way to excessive executive authority.
America's identity as a nation of immigrants has long been central to its strength. Unlike countries defined by ethnicity, anyone can become American regardless of race or religion. Yet this ideal is under pressure. Parts of the MAGA movement seek to restrict even legal immigration, and proposals to privilege "heritage Americans" represent a troubling return to ideas that America had largely rejected.
Abroad, America is also moving away from the international order it built after World War II. Under Donald Trump, long-standing alliances and institutions are being challenged, while foreign policy increasingly prioritizes narrow national interests over promoting democracy and shared values. Trade has become more transactional, and allies are increasingly viewed as burdens rather than partners.
Many interpret these developments as evidence of American decline. The Economist disagrees. Despite political dysfunction, the country's economic and technological strengths remain extraordinary. America continues to lead the world in artificial intelligence, with companies investing hundreds of billions of dollars to secure technological dominance.If AI transforms the global economy as expected, America's businesses, military, and overall influence could become even more powerful than they are today.
This growing power also carries significant risks. AI could further concentrate political authority, wealth, and influence in the executive branch and among a small elite. Combined with social media, gerrymandering, and growing polarization, America's institutions may struggle to manage the profound economic and social changes ahead.
Internationally, a permanent retreat from promoting democracy could encourage authoritarian states to pursue aggression, making the world more unstable and dangerous.
Yet America's history offers reasons for optimism. The same restlessness that fuels today's conflicts has repeatedly driven national renewal. Crises such as Pearl Harbor, Sputnik, and Watergate ultimately inspired reform and reinvention rather than permanent decline. America's defining strength has always been its ability to adapt.
Significant change now appears inevitable because many aspects of the current system are unsustainable. Persistent fiscal deficits, generational political transition, and growing public frustration with partisan gridlock all suggest that the country is approaching another period of transformation.
As fireworks celebrate America's 250th birthday, they also symbolize a deeper truth: America's constant arguments, conflicts, and dissatisfaction are not simply signs of weakness. They are the very forces that have repeatedly prevented stagnation and enabled renewal. The Founders would undoubtedly be concerned by today's challenges, but they also placed their faith in the wisdom and resilience of the American people—a faith that, throughout history, has been rewarded time and again.
Source:
https://economist.com/leaders/2026/07/02/america-is-anxious-and-awesomely-powerful
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