State of the Dis-Union at 250: What Is American Democracy Now and Where Is It Headed?

Public lecture by Amy Greene as part of the lecture series “Focus on 250 Years of the United States of America”

At a pivotal historical juncture, the United States confronts renewed scrutiny over the strength and future of its democratic institutions. This lecture series assembles a set of diverse voices to assess whether American democracy is under strain, adapting to new realities, or entering a period of transformation.

Beyond the domestic arena, the series also addresses the far-reaching global consequences of these developments. How do internal political tensions shape U.S. foreign policy and international engagement—including with Switzerland? What do they mean for global stability, economic cooperation, and the future of democratic norms worldwide? By combining critical perspectives with a broad analytical lens, the series invites students and a broader public to reflect on the past, present, and future of the American experiment at 250.

Amy Greene is Senior Fellow for American Politics at the Institut Montaigne in Paris. Amy teaches at Sciences Po Paris and Boston University. She regularly appears in French and international media.

Kollegienhaus, Aula