In 2026, “AI slop” will submerge the internet, a pioneer of illiberal democracy faces a tough election, and the pioneer of liberal democracy celebrates its 250th birthday. Since the dawn of time, people have likely been gathering to make collective decisions or to elect representatives. Today, however, our understanding of democracy is unthinkable without something more: the principle of equality and individual rights accorded by modern liberal states. In 2026, this liberal form of democracy marks a big birthday: 250 years ago, declaring that “all men are created equal”, 13 breakaway colonies established the United States of America – a nation that persists today. In 1778, before the first US presidential election, a politician and businessman from the Swiss town of Biel, Johann Rudolph Valltravers, wrote to Benjamin Franklin with a plea: “Let us jointly maintain the rights of humanity, legal liberty, toleration, and property secured to honest industry! Let us enjoy the well-earned ...
