The rise or fall of America can be measured both externally and internally, as James Fallows explained in a recent essay
for The Atlantic:
“Today's fears combine relative decline (comparing ourselves to China, say) with domestic concerns about a polarized society of haves and have-nots that has lost its connective core. They include concerns about the institutions that have made American strong: our manufacturing base, widespread and affordable higher education, a viable and
vigorous press, religion that can co-exist with secularism and secular values, and a government that expresses the
nation's differences while also addressing its long-term interests and needs.”
Following this framework, the symposium will open with a short prologue followed by two 90-minute sessions (including audience Q&A), one focused on the international context and the other on the domestic context. New York Times columnist Ross Douthat will moderate both the session, sum up, and close.
Panel 1: American Leadership Abroad Peter Beinart, The Icarus Syndrome
Carol Graham, Happiness around the World: the Paradox of Happy Peasants and Miserable Millionaires
Elaine Kamarck, Primary Politics: How Presidential Candidates Have Shaped the Modern Nominating System
Paul Starobin, After America, Narratives for the Next Global Age
Panel 2: The Promise of America at Home Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Beautiful Struggle
Gregg Easterbrook, Sonic Boom: Globalization at Mach Speed
Peniel Joseph, Dark Days, Bright Nights: From Black Power to Barack Obama
Reihan Salam, co-author (with Ross Douthat) of Grand New Party: How Conservatives Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream
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