America is celebrating its birthday—and is deep in crisis

This is the English translation of the op-ed originally published in Der Tagesspiegel on July 1, 2026.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, we would like to tell you that the “City on a Hill”—America’s self-image as a shining beacon—gleams brighter than ever. Instead, our country is going through a period of profound uncertainty. The world’s oldest continuously existing modern democracy remains a global superpower, yet it is increasingly marked by political polarization and heated debates over national priorities.

Of course, these challenges are not exclusively an American phenomenon. European democracies are also grappling with similar problems, albeit not to the same extent.

Political polarization on both sides of the Atlantic stems from a loss of trust in institutions and political elites, which is fueling populist movements. The traditional center-left and center-right parties are now mere shadows of their former selves; many voters are looking to anti-establishment movements for alternatives. The leaders of these movements stoke voters’ concerns by arguing that current governments are failing on issues such as immigration, cultural identity, and the cost of living.

The United States and Europe also face a classic “guns-or-butter” debate: Governments must balance investments in defense and security against demands for social spending, infrastructure, and economic development.

Yet the assumption that economic prosperity is impossible without security does not seem to resonate widely with voters in Western democracies. The pace of technological and cultural change has sparked mistrust and fears about their economic security.

Even though the US stock market is booming, Americans are feeling the pinch at gas stations and supermarkets. The contradictions between stock market gains and the everyday lives of ordinary people have been felt in the United States for decades. Now, the promised golden age is manifesting itself in a carnival-like atmosphere surrounding the White House and an algae-overgrown Reflecting Pool in our nation’s capital. The image could hardly be more symbolic.

The next chapter of American history has yet to be written, but without a balance between security and prosperity, the democracy on which the transatlantic partnership is based could pass the tipping point of renewal.

The United States and Europe are both at these turning points and will develop their own solutions based on different narratives and historical contexts. Yet cooperation is urgently needed, especially on issues that affect younger generations.

To properly shape the current security environment for our democracies, we must also establish standards and goals for the issues that matter most to young Americans and Europeans. As they enter the workforce, they are well aware of the power of AI. They will benefit from medical breakthroughs and increased efficiency, but they are not yet fully convinced of all its advantages. This sentiment was also evident at college commencement ceremonies across the United States last month: When guest speakers at the ceremonies addressed the topic of AI, they were booed by graduates nationwide.

Nevertheless, the development of digital infrastructure is moving forward—driven by economic opportunities even if the environmental costs raise questions—uniting both political camps. The US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, in fact, does not reflect the reality of the energy sector: Solar power generation in the United States has surpassed coal-fired power generation for the first time. Sometimes reality moves faster than political narratives.

This makes it all the more important for the transatlantic partners to work together to shape the issues of the future, such as the energy transition and AI. After all, their relationship is based not only on security and economic interests, but increasingly also on the shared task of reconciling technology and democracy.

Healthy democracies on both sides of the Atlantic are essential for a thriving transatlantic relationship. Even though the American experiment is facing headwinds, our diversity, innovative spirit, and general openness give us hope for our country’s future.

Alexis de Tocqueville left Americans and other democracies with a warning that continued to resonate long after the 1835 publication of his work “Democracy in America” and remains true to this day: “The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to correct her mistakes.”