What is America?

Philip Kotler

As America approaches its 250th birthday, I am thinking about what is special about America.

Is it our freedom? Yes, but there are other countries whose people are free. They can move and live in other locations in their country and apply for jobs that they prefer.

Is it our diversity? We welcomed immigrants and offered them the opportunity to naturalize and become American citizens. Yes, there are other countries that you can immigrate to and apply for citizenship, but not many people apply and the diversity doesn’t happen.

After trying out other ideas that are special to America, I realized that searching for a single word that captures America, would never capture a full picture of what is America.

How the New York Times Has Helped me Find the Answer

On Sunday, June 28, 2026, I opened my copy of the New York Times, and I looked for the section on Opinions. I like to read what different NYT columnists are thinking about. But this Sunday’s issue was special. NYT’s management ask each columnist to think about what is special about America. I read what each had to say. There wasn’t much overlap. Each columnist described his or her impression of what is special about America.

What we need to realize is that President Trump is pressing forward a view of America that is quite devoid of what America truly is. His view opposes all the ingredients that make America special and distinctive. Trump Republicans are aiming to make Trump a king who would have the power to do whatever he wants. He is not to be a king that improves American lives. He is to be a king who acquires for himself and his friends all the wealth they can get. He could pardon any criminal, friend or ally. He could redesign the White House to have a ballroom, a Thai fighting stage or build an Arch de Trump. All he wants is perfect and constant flattery, his face on Mount Rushmore, and an authentic Nobel Prize for Peace.

Let’s Reconsider What is America?

Here is a list of the titles that NYT columnists say are special about America. Each wrote an essay on why they chose that value.

· Fairness

· Brotherhood

· Righteous anger

· Our openness

· Our bravest selves

· Our boundless ambition

· Our longest debate (equal protection of the laws)

· Our games (baseball, basketball, football)

· Our refuge (for oppressed people)

· Our unflashy competence

· Our imperfect generosity

· Our public lands

· Our musicals

· An island of democratic possibilities (our free libraries)

Conclusion

Clearly America cannot be summarized by just one or a few words. It is the combination of many ideals, many shared events and activities and a population that represents the world.

Hopefully you know what makes America unique and great.

And you now know what we are in danger of losing.