The United States is experiencing what can be described as a “cold civil war”: the breakdown of the social contract, political polarization, and deep divisions in public opinion over the country’s interests. There is an ongoing struggle over what America actually is, with each side viewing the other as an existential threat. This level of polarization is paralyzing the state’s ability to make strategic decisions, while public trust in institutions such as the press, the judiciary, and Congress has declined. Meanwhile, the ruling elite in Washington, Silicon Valley, Wall Street, and various lobbying groups appear unable to provide solutions to citizens’ pressing problems such as inflation, healthcare, and polarization. America is not suffering from a lack of resources or technology, but rather from a crisis of meaning and governance.
