Today, the United States of America celebrates its 246th birthday. Arguably, the greatest nation in the history of human civilization, America has led the world in almost all technological advances in the past 100 years, ranging from the development of electronic devices like the phonograph, the incandescent bulb, and the television, to computer technologies that facilitate research in virtually every field and most conspicuously in medicine, agriculture, and meteorology.
But the greatness of what has been called “the American Experiment,” derives from its development of a form of government that strives to preserve the freedom of the individual. Throughout history, nations have struggled to find a balance between oppressive government, as we see in modern day China, and the lawless chaos that we see in Afghanistan, Syria and Somalia. The freedom to protest, to debate issues, and to choose political representatives has enabled America to move ever closer to a more inclusive society that repudiates discrimination on the basis of race, color or creed.
Of course, America is not perfect, and it has all the problems that come with a diverse population of a third of a billion people who have differing beliefs about morality, religion, sex and equality. However, the borders of America reveal more about the success of “the American Experiment” than its critics are willing to admit. America’s norther border with Canada stretches over 5000 miles from the Atlantic to the Pacific and over 1500 miles from the Pacific to the Arctic, yet it requires no armed defence. On its southern border, mass migrations of people from Central America seeking the safety and opportunities offered in America risk their lives to participate in the American Dream.
Today, America faces extreme challenges as the Left and Right become more polarized, and rational dialog becomes more difficult to achieve. But, such stresses are a natural outgrowth of the tribalism in our DNA that evolved as a survival advantage. The wealth distribution, for example, underpins much of the rhetoric, as each individual tends to identify with the tribe most beneficial to their self-interest. Similarly, the Roe v. Wade controversy hinges on differing beliefs about when a fetus is a human with rights under the constitution. As opinions differ, verbal conflict, and sometimes violence will erupt– that is the story of human civilization. Yet, when we look at the other countries of the world, it’s not difficult to pronounce “the American Experiment” a resounding success. As my father often said in his Irish brogue, “I choose to be livin’ in Canada, but we’re “lookie” to be livin’ next door to de Americans; God bless ‘em.”
