As Americans gathered together over the July 4th holiday weekend, many of us took time to reflect on where America finds itself in its 250th year. What’s the true state of our constitutional republic? Can we recover from the Rule of Law challenges we’ve seen grow exponentially over recent years? What do we want America to be, and how do we get there?
In fact, no lack of ink has been spilled on these questions throughout 2026. As our Alliance brings together a unique set of perspectives across the global democracy, justice, and Rule of Law spheres, AAROL has collected five of our favorite reflections on the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence. Check them out, share those that resonate with you in your own community, and let us know in the comments which great pieces we missed!
America’s 250th Birthday: Hope, Democracy & What Comes Next | Keep Our Republic
In this special Independence Day episode of the Keepers of Our Republic Podcast, retired federal judges and practitioners across the legal profession offer birthday wishes to the United States, celebrating our shared American values and sharing both hopes and fears for the next 250 years. Watch the episode on YouTube, or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Who are America’s keepers? | If you can keep it from Protect Democracy
Who bears the responsibility for keeping American democracy and Rule of Law strong? These authors come down firmly on one answer: all of us. This moving piece argues that democracy belongs to and relies on every American, not faceless institutions or elected officials. Read on for global lessons and practical ideas for how to make put your civic values into action daily.
A Twenty-Eighth Amendment Has Arrived | cylindr magazine
With this thought-provoking proposal, Executive Editor of cylindr magazine Michael Pates asks what should be done to bring the U.S. Constitution in line with the evolving needs of our modern democracy. Drafted in collaboration with the Sustainable Culture Lab, this proposed amendment “picks up where the Reconstruction Amendments left off” by bringing freedom and human dignity to the forefront of our constitutional order.
A Plan to Renew American Democracy | Democracy Renewal Group
Composed of U.S. Democracy, Rights, and Governance (DRG) alumni, the Democracy Renewal Group turned decades of global expertise toward the U.S., applying a modified version of the USAID DRG Assessment Framework to American democracy. This Plan provides an antidote to that assessment’s worrying findings, with the goal of reversing democratic decline by 2029 and building democracy that works for all Americans.
A Call to Action on America’s 250th | Alliance for American Rule of Law
In this poignant piece on the AAROL Blog, Alliance Member Hon. Jay Blitzman (Ret.) and Javier Irizarry ask how Rule of Law can prevail in the face of growing autocracy and increasing pressure on our democratic system. Their answer? Critical hope, honest reflection, and collective action.
What did we miss? Comment below, or share with us via info@aarol.org.
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