The legacy of the American dream

On July 4, 1776, the United States of America was born. Two hundred and fifty years later, this country is the oldest democracy in the world and the most powerful nation that humanity has known, economically, culturally and militarily. "We the people" as well as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" embody what generations consider to be the essence of the American dream.

The year 2026 was supposed to be a celebration of what this collective ideal represents, which makes people dream far beyond American borders. However, the United States today seems to be at a crossroads. The feast therefore has a different meaning in this context.

Polarization and divisions are not new elements in the country's development. The Civil War of 1861-1865 and the racial and religious divisions that marked its history are good examples of this reality.

Moreover, even though the Civil Rights Act of 1964 officially prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, confrontations based on these elements continue to occur to this day.

The numerous military operations of the United States have also contributed to polarization. The wars in Vietnam and Iraq are illustrious examples.

However, although still present, it is not the "traditional" issues listed above that explain the current wave of polarization.

Profound changes create new challenges

Today, the foundations of American democracy, the separation of powers and the concept of checks and balances, are less effective in maintaining consensus and unity in the administration of public affairs.

Under the current presidency, certain actions are clearly aimed at ensuring the predominance of the executive over the legislative power, in a spirit contrary to that of the Constitution. The decisions related to the capture of the president of Venezuela, the war in Iran, and the imposition of widespread tariffs that were made without the approval of the U.S. Congress are good examples.

Recent Supreme Court decisions have also strengthened the power of the presidency over the legislative branch, setting the country's highest judiciary in a break with the primacy it has traditionally accorded to the spirit of checks and balances.

In addition, the state of the major political parties, the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, currently offers neither the hope nor the persuasive message needed to reduce polarization and division.

The Republican Party faces internal tensions between the MAGA wing, traditional adherents and new dissidents that include former supporters of the current president. Adulated by some, despised by others, he leaves no one indifferent. One thing is certain, the transformations he proposes in American society and in the world are very far from being consensual. The Democrats are also facing internal tensions between the moderate wing and more mobilized left-wing voices.

In addition to the tensions influencing the current political climate, there is also a growing gap between the wealthiest and the less fortunate, which affects access to public services, social harmony and increases cost-of-living challenges.

In addition, the unprecedented acceleration and transformation of communications, particularly with the advent of social networks and artificial intelligence, is shaking up American society as well as many others around the world.

The ability to make a difference

Over the past 250 years, Americans' strong commitment to democracy and individual rights has created the conditions that allow everyone to make a difference and achieve so many things. This trait has certainly helped to establish the United States' global leadership and give it a respect that few other nations in the world have enjoyed.

For example, the United States' role in World War II not only ensured the victory of democracy, but also gradually laid the groundwork for peace initiatives that followed the deadliest conflict in history. Helping to rebuild the affected nations, using diplomacy to create an international organization, the UN, to preserve peace as well as to avoid or mitigate emerging conflicts, this has dominated American foreign policy for the past 80 years.

The victory of the United States in the Cold War is an example of how it has been able to shape global geopolitical dynamics.

The 1960s saw the triumph of Martin Luther King's vision of equality. His dream of seeing children judged not by the colour of their skin, but by their personality, led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act. This milestone helped pave the way for the election of the first African-American president in 2008, a high point in American political history.

The importance of science and innovation is another illustration of the United States' ability to address some of the most complex challenges humanity has faced. In this regard, the curiosity and perseverance of the Americans is admirable.

The best examples are probably the invention of the transistor which is the basis of all current electronics, the automotive assembly line, modern anesthesia or computer science and the Internet. We could add to this countless biomedical advances or the sending of the first humans to the Moon with Neil Armstrong. Finally, our neighbours to the south have the highest number of Nobel laureates in the scientific categories.

Canada can be very proud of having worked closely with the Americans on many of these advances, as was the case recently with the Artemis II mission. Working closely with the United States, Canadian Jeremy Hansen became the first non-American human to travel beyond low-Earth orbit.

Despite all these advances, the United States is no longer seen as the beacon of hope and inspiration that it once embodied. This is partly due to the polarization described above, but mostly to the style and actions of the current presidency. This is temporary. Another person will take over one day.

Today, this will and courage to make a difference that has persisted for 250 years is in some ways the legacy of the American dream. Whatever happens, it will continue to be perpetuated and will continue to influence the world.

This article was orginally published on July 4, 2026 by La Presse.