Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
As the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Americans are reconsidering not only what the Founders created, but how they should be remembered. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and their contemporaries articulated revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, representative government, and individual rights. Yet the execution of those ideals initially excluded women and minorities from political power and designed institutions whose compromises continue to shape modern conflicts.
Should they continue to be revered as visionary architects of the American experiment, or has reverence for them prevented a more honest understanding of the country they established? Supporters argue that the Founders created an extraordinary system that allowed the nation to expand freedom over time and should be judged by the standards of their era. Critics contend that idolizing them sanitizes the past and discourages Americans from questioning institutions designed for the 18th century and whether we can have a “better” democracy.
During America’s semiquincentennial, we debate: Is It Time to Stop Idolizing the Founders?
Arguing Yes: Osita Nwanevu, Contributing Editor at The New Republic; Columnist at The Guardian
Arguing No: Helena Rosenblatt, Distinguished Professor of History, French, and Political Science, and the MA Program in Liberal Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center
Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates
#opentodebate #debate #america #america250 #foundingfathers
Visit our Substack to watch more insightful debates and subscribe to our newsletter.
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 – Introduction: Is it Time to Stop Idolizing the Founders?
00:02:12 – Introduction of Debaters
00:04:29 – Opening Statement: Osita Nwanevu (Arguing "Yes")
00:08:43 – Opening Statement: Helena Rosenblatt (Arguing "No")
00:11:38 – Moderator Summary
00:14:51 – How Do We Rate the Founders' Contributions Today?
00:19:21 – Would "Demoting" the Founders Endanger American Democracy?
00:22:23 – Does the Constitution Need to Be Rewritten?
00:28:36 – Is More Democracy Always Better?
00:32:39 – Democracy vs. Liberal Democracy
00:36:48 – Republic vs. Democracy
00:40:32 – Were the Founders an Undifferentiated Lot?
00:42:51 – Is America Already on Its Second Founding?
00:45:18 – Do We Have Better Leaders Today?
00:47:56 – Are the Founders' Checks and Balances Worth Preserving?
00:51:07 – Do Other Countries Have Preferable Amendment Processes?
00:53:36 – Should We Change How We Teach Kids About the Founders?
00:57:22 – Closing Statement: Osita Nwanevu
00:59:30 – Closing Statement: Helena Rosenblatt
01:00:25 – Final Thoughts
As the United States marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Americans are reconsidering not only what the Founders created, but how they should be remembered. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin, and their contemporaries articulated revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, representative government, and individual rights. Yet the execution of those ideals initially excluded women and minorities from political power and designed institutions whose compromises continue to shape modern conflicts.
Should they continue to be revered as visionary architects of the American experiment, or has reverence for them prevented a more honest understanding of the country they established? Supporters argue that the Founders created an extraordinary system that allowed the nation to expand freedom over time and should be judged by the standards of their era. Critics contend that idolizing them sanitizes the past and discourages Americans from questioning institutions designed for the 18th century and whether we can have a “better” democracy.
During America’s semiquincentennial, we debate: Is It Time to Stop Idolizing the Founders?
Arguing Yes: Osita Nwanevu, Contributing Editor at The New Republic; Columnist at The Guardian
Arguing No: Helena Rosenblatt, Distinguished Professor of History, French, and Political Science, and the MA Program in Liberal Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center
Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates
#opentodebate #debate #america #america250 #foundingfathers
Visit our Substack to watch more insightful debates and subscribe to our newsletter.
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 – Introduction: Is it Time to Stop Idolizing the Founders?
00:02:12 – Introduction of Debaters
00:04:29 – Opening Statement: Osita Nwanevu (Arguing "Yes")
00:08:43 – Opening Statement: Helena Rosenblatt (Arguing "No")
00:11:38 – Moderator Summary
00:14:51 – How Do We Rate the Founders' Contributions Today?
00:19:21 – Would "Demoting" the Founders Endanger American Democracy?
00:22:23 – Does the Constitution Need to Be Rewritten?
00:28:36 – Is More Democracy Always Better?
00:32:39 – Democracy vs. Liberal Democracy
00:36:48 – Republic vs. Democracy
00:40:32 – Were the Founders an Undifferentiated Lot?
00:42:51 – Is America Already on Its Second Founding?
00:45:18 – Do We Have Better Leaders Today?
00:47:56 – Are the Founders' Checks and Balances Worth Preserving?
00:51:07 – Do Other Countries Have Preferable Amendment Processes?
00:53:36 – Should We Change How We Teach Kids About the Founders?
00:57:22 – Closing Statement: Osita Nwanevu
00:59:30 – Closing Statement: Helena Rosenblatt
01:00:25 – Final Thoughts
