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Civitas Outlook
Topic
Pursuit of Happiness
Published on
Jun 30, 2026
Contributors
Joel Kotkin
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - JUNE 29, 2022 The Marine Corps War Memorial Arlington Virginia Washington DC. Shutterstock.

The Enduring Promise of America

Contributors
Joel Kotkin
Joel Kotkin
Senior Research Fellow
Joel Kotkin
Summary
At 250 years old, the US remains a nation committed to freedom and prosperity.
Summary
At 250 years old, the US remains a nation committed to freedom and prosperity.
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‘USA is a slice of the continent… USA is the world’s greatest river valley fringed with mountains and hills. USA is a set of big-mouthed officials with too many bank accounts. USA is a lot of men buried in their uniforms in Arlington Cemetery. USA is the letters at the end of the address when you are away from home. But mostly USA is the speech of the people.’

From USA, by John Dos Passos, 1930.

The United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary deeply divided and widely detested, a condition that long predated Donald Trump’s return to office. Americans’ pride in their country, at roughly 40 per cent, has dropped to a historic low, according to Gallup, although it remains considerably higher than in most European countries. This decline is most evident among younger, more educated Americans.

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