In Focus: Reimagining America

A new year brings a new administration, and Americans might breathe a sigh of relief that democracy prevailed in the face of a deadly insurrection. Unfortunately, the challenges still to overcome remain as urgent as ever. Vaccine rollouts offer reasons for hope, yet COVID-19 continues to devastate lives and communities. Racism remains an open wound in our society. And far from settling the debate on what it means to be an American, the past election cycle has further exposed deep fissures in our politics and our identities. Calls to come together, however heartfelt, are only the first in a long line of steps towards reconciliation.

Progress is possible. In the first 2021 installment of In Focus, the Aspen Institute looks forward to solutions for today and tomorrow. How can we get help to those who need it now? What systemic fixes are needed to mend our ailing institutions? More fundamentally, how do we reach a consensus on what it means to be an American, or what America’s place in the world should be? And what are the responsibilities of our elected officials, our private sector, and leaders in our own communities to make this change happen?

A Nation Divided

Perhaps the one thing everyone can agree on is that the U.S. is a deeply divided nation. For many, an appeal for unity without accountability or a meaningful commitment to tackling systemic racism will ring hollow. In short, how can we repair the country’s social fabric? In our communities, classrooms, or Congress, learn more about the Aspen Institute’s programs’ work to bridge divides, create a more inclusive American identity, and elevate the leaders who bring people together.

      Institutional Change

      Some of the biggest and boldest ideas go beyond the creation of new policies. In addition to top-down solutions, what are the most promising opportunities for institutional and systemic reforms that will endure beyond the term of any one politician? From addressing housing inequities and tackling the scourge of disinformation to dismantling white supremacy, these ideas show what’s possible when different sectors of our society come together to transform the system, not just work within it.

          What We Need Now

          We’re in the vaunted "100 Days" – an opportunity for the Biden-Harris administration to hit the ground running. These are some of the policy ideas the Aspen Institute’s programs would place at the top of the government’s inbox. From cybersecurity to education, there’s no shortage of proposals to "build back better" for Americans from all backgrounds to get behind, and no time to waste.

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