Ideas That Made U.S. | Dialogues on Freedom

The Ideas That Made U.S.: Dialogues on Freedom is a speaker series that examines the ideas, institutions, and choices that have shaped the American experiment and those that will determine its future. 

At a moment of profound global change, Americans are being asked to reconsider what citizenship means, how democratic societies sustain trust and legitimacy, and how freedom can endure amid technological transformation, geopolitical rivalry, and institutional strain. Through public conversations and panel discussions, the series brings together leading thinkers and practitioners to engage core issues at the heart of American life, including the responsibilities of citizenship; the foundations of national security; the role of innovation, markets, and governance in shaping opportunity; strategic competition with authoritarian powers; and the importance of education in preparing citizens for self-government.

Rooted in rigorous scholarship and open inquiry, the series reflects the Hoover Institution’s commitment to examining difficult questions with intellectual honesty, historical perspective, and a focus on practical outcomes. By connecting enduring principles with contemporary challenges, The Ideas That Made U.S. invites audiences to reflect on how freedom has been preserved in the past and how it can be renewed for the next generation.