Talk | "Glauben die Amerikaner*innen noch an ihre Mythen? Die USA vor den Midterms" | 21.10.2026

Right now, there is much talk of conflict, division, and civil war-like conditions in the US, while at the same time the 250th anniversary of the world’s oldest democracy is being celebrated. In her talk, Heike Paul examines the power and influence of the country’s political and cultural founding myths, which for a long time were widely regarded as the common basis of the national identity. These include the myths of discovery, expansion, the founding of the state, and social mobility.

What validity and potential for integration do these myths have today? Can they still serve as a unifying force? How would the canon of myths need to change to do justice to current sociopolitical developments? Heike Paul explores these questions in her talk and in the subsequent discussion with Violetta Hagen, editor and journalist at the SWR.

The talk is titled "Glauben die Amerikaner*innen noch an ihre Mythen? Die USA vor den Midterms" and takes place at the Schelling Forum, Würzburg, on Wednesday, October 21, 6pm.

For more information about the event and how to register, see here.