Public Events Calendar

At a pivotal historical juncture, the United States confronts renewed scrutiny over the strength and future of its democratic institutions. This lecture series assembles a set of diverse voices to assess whether American democracy is under strain, adapting to new realities, or entering a period of transformation. 

Beyond the domestic arena, the series also addresses the far-reaching global consequences of these developments. How do internal political tensions shape U.S. foreign policy and international engagement—including with Switzerland? What do they mean for global stability, economic cooperation, and the future of democratic norms worldwide? By combining critical perspectives with a broad analytical lens, the series invites students and a broader public to reflect on the past, present, and future of the American experiment at 250.

Bob Rae is Distinguished Fellow at the University of Toronto, Matthews Fellow at the Queen’s University, Visitor of the Massey College at the University of Toronto and Associate Fellow of the Chatham House at The Royal Institute of International Affairs in London. Rae was former Premier of Ontario (1990-1995), Interim Leader for the Liberal Party of Canada (2011-2013) and Canadian Ambassador to the UN from 2020 to 2025.