American Academy Lecture

The Future of Democracy in America: A Conversation with The Atlantic

How are America’s democratic institutions adapting to a time of intense polarization and change? Atlantic staff writers Anne Applebaum and George Packer join the magazine’s editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg—leading voices in journalism and former fellows of the American Academy in Berlin—as they examine the shifting dynamics of governance in the United States. Moderated by Daniel Benjamin, president of the American Academy, this discussion will delve into the critical challenges threatening democracy, the erosion of trust in political systems, and the forces shaping the country’s political and social trajectory. At a time of significant uncertainty, this conversation offers vital insights into what lies ahead for America’s democratic experiment.