The question of whether the world can still recognize the United States is no longer a theoretical exercise for political scientists; it has become a visceral necessity for those watching the fraying edges of the transatlantic alliance. As the second administration of Donald Trump takes shape, the global community is grappling with a fundamental shift in American governance and its willingness to uphold traditional democratic norms.
This tension is at the heart of Goodbye, Amerika? Die USA und wir – eine Neuvermessung, a critical exploration of the American psyche and its external projections. The discourse centers on a precarious moment in history where the Oval Office is viewed by critics not as a seat of global leadership, but as a hub for transactional politics. For those in Europe, and specifically Germany, the uncertainty is not merely about policy shifts, but about the stability of the constitutional order in the world’s sole remaining superpower.
The conversation is led by Rieke Havertz, a seasoned international correspondent and expert on U.S. Affairs. Having spent years reporting from Washington, Havertz offers a perspective shaped by both academic rigor—having studied journalism and American studies at the Ohio University and in Leipzig—and the lived experience of a journalist witnessing the internal fractures of a deeply divided nation.
The Anatomy of a Divided Superpower
To understand the current state of the U.S., one must look beyond the headlines of the current administration and into the structural ambivalences that have defined the country for decades. Havertz describes a land that is simultaneously “exciting” and “exhausting,” a place where the promise of individual liberty often clashes with systemic inequality and political volatility.
The current crisis is characterized by several intersecting pressures that threaten the traditional image of the “City upon a Hill”:
- Constitutional Friction: An increasing openness to challenging the legal and constitutional frameworks that have governed the U.S. Since 1787.
- Transactional Diplomacy: A shift from strategic alliances based on shared values to a “favor-exchange” model of international relations.
- Internal Polarization: A societal divide so profound that it affects not only voting patterns but the very perception of shared truth.
This environment has created a paradox for those who love the U.S. But are repulsed by its current trajectory. Pulitzer Prize winner and veteran Washington Post journalist Anne Hull has noted that Havertz’s voice is essential in bringing this “deeply divided country” closer to an international audience, suggesting that external observers often miss the nuances of the American struggle when viewing it solely through a political lens.
The Transatlantic Strain and the ‘Neuvermessung’
The term Neuvermessung—a remeasuring or recalibration—suggests that the old metrics for judging the U.S.-Europe relationship are no longer applicable. For decades, the transatlantic bond was anchored by the NATO alliance and a mutual commitment to liberal democracy. However, the perception that the U.S. May no longer be a reliable security partner has forced European leaders to consider a more autonomous strategic future.
This shift is not just about military spending or trade tariffs; This proves a cultural reckoning. The “Goodbye, Amerika?” question asks if the version of the United States that the world admired—the champion of human rights and the guarantor of stability—has finally vanished, or if it is merely dormant under a layer of populist volatility.
The Role of the Correspondent in a Post-Truth Era
Reporting from Washington during this era requires more than just access to sources; it requires an ability to navigate a landscape where the truth is often contested. Havertz, through her work with DIE ZEIT and her role as co-host of the podcast “OK, America?”, has focused on the human element of this political chaos. By blending personal memory with political analysis, she attempts to bridge the gap between the “wonderful” aspects of American culture and the “nerve-wracking” reality of its political institutions.
The challenge for journalists today is to avoid the trap of sensationalism while accurately conveying the severity of the situation. When a president openly attacks the judiciary or treats the executive branch as a personal business venture, the journalist’s role is to document the erosion of norms without succumbing to hyperbole, providing a steady hand for an audience that is often overwhelmed by the speed of the news cycle.
Practical Implications for International Observers
For those seeking to engage with this discussion, the event “Offen für Kultur” provides a forum for a reading and conversation moderated by Dr. Andreas Etges of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. The dialogue aims to move beyond the binary of “love” or “hate” for the U.S., instead seeking a nuanced understanding of how a country can be both a source of inspiration and a source of global instability.
| Traditional Model | Current Shift | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Multilateral Alliances | Bilateral Transactions | Weakened NATO cohesion |
| Constitutional Norms | Executive Assertiveness | Increased legal volatility |
| Global Leadership | “America First” | Power vacuum in diplomacy |
The overarching hope, as expressed by Havertz, is that the United States is a country that cannot—and should not—be given up on. The “remeasuring” is not necessarily a farewell, but a necessary adjustment to a new reality where the U.S. Is no longer the undisputed moral leader of the West, but a struggling democracy attempting to find its way back to its own foundational promises.
As the current administration continues its term, the next critical checkpoint will be the upcoming legislative sessions and judicial appointments, which will further define whether the “remeasuring” of America leads toward a new stability or further fragmentation.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the evolving transatlantic relationship in the comments below. How has your perception of the United States changed over the last decade?
