Die bipolare Nation

Book Presentation & Conversation with Philipp Gassert, University of Mannheim | As part of the event series "Zwischen/Zeiten: 250 Jahre USA"

From the radiant “Empire of Liberty” to an unpredictable superpower in a state of perpetual crisis: The history of the United States is a chronicle of extremes. While the country once offered the world the sweet promise of freedom—and later that of unbridled mass consumption—it simultaneously subjected it to the harsh realities of imperial dominance and ecological exploitation on a global scale. In the midst of the 250th anniversary year of 2026, the question arises: Has the long “American Century” finally run its course? In his non-fiction book “Die bipolare Nation” (engl. The Bipolar Nation), the renowned Mannheim historian Philipp Gassert offers an analysis of a superpower at a crossroads that is as illuminating as it is sobering. He demonstrates that the deep rifts of the Trump era are not accidents of history, but have their roots in the contradictions of the nation’s founding in 1776. Between a global claim to leadership and isolationist withdrawal, Gassert dissects the legacy of a nation that is both an anchor and a chaotic factor for the world order. He speaks with us about the paradoxes of America, whose internal divisions are now shaking global security.