As America marks its 250th anniversary, this fall’s Our Society Reimagined will look a little different. Alongside the contemporary articles and essays featured in past programs, participants will read and discuss several longer classic texts and foundational American documents. This deeper engagement with the ideas at the heart of American civic life will anchor our exploration of enduring and contemporary debates surrounding unity and diversity, the balance of national and state power, liberty and equality, the rule of law, and the meaning of patriotism. Together, we will consider how America’s founding principles can help us navigate the present and imagine our shared future.
The 2026 series will take place in person on our Aspen Meadows campus (Lauder Room/Koch Building located at 1000 N. Third Street) from 6:00-8:00 pm MT on four consecutive Wednesdays, October 14-November 4. Clint Kinney and Kara Silbernagel will moderate the series.
Fee: $225, includes all sessions, refreshments, and reading materials. Scholarships available.
Registration: To register, please click here.
America at 250: Founding to Future
October 14: Can the Idea of America Last?
October 21: Can Extreme Politics Make Our Government Stronger?
October 28: Is Patriotism the Problem or the Cure?
November 4: Is “E Pluribus Unum” Possible Following the Midterms?
Please contact Ari Mizrahi at [email protected] with any additional questions.
October 14
Session 1: Can the Idea of America Last?
The American experiment rests on the idea that people of different backgrounds can form a nation around shared political ideals and principles. Born of revolution, the United States developed institutions designed to provide stability while allowing for change—a balance that each generation has had to navigate anew. Today, amid significant political and cultural shifts, we will consider the resilience of that founding idea. Can our system of government continue to adapt while sustaining the principles that bind us together? What does it take to maintain a shared sense of purpose through periods of profound change?
October 21
Session 2: Can Extreme Politics Make Our Government Stronger?
Disagreement has always been part of American political life, but today’s divisions across party, generation, income, religion, and region raise questions about our ability to govern together. In a society that values individual liberty and diverse perspectives, finding common ground requires us to consider both the possibilities and the limits of compromise. We will explore the role of conflict in a democracy, asking when it strengthens our institutions and when it undermines them. How can we work through our differences in ways that make our government more responsive and our country more resilient?
October 28
Session 3: Is Patriotism the Problem or the Cure?
Love of country can inspire service, strengthen communities, and create a sense of shared responsibility. Yet Americans often disagree about what patriotism asks of us, particularly when pride in the nation meets criticism of its actions or institutions. We will explore how love of country can coexist with an honest assessment of its shortcomings, and whether good citizenship requires both. When does patriotism call us to preserve our traditions, and when does it call us to challenge them in pursuit of the nation’s founding ideals?
November 4
Session 4: Is “E Pluribus Unum” Possible After the Midterms?
In the immediate aftermath of the midterm elections, we will reflect on the promise of e pluribus unum — “out of many, one” — and what it means for a diverse democracy. As results emerge, we will consider what the election reveals about our divisions, our shared priorities, and our capacity to move forward together. Can elections deepen our understanding of one another, even when they leave fundamental disagreements unresolved? With Benjamin Franklin’s challenge to preserve the republic in mind, we will explore what sustaining it requires of us and whether unity can make room for lasting differences.
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