8 essays on the opportunities facing the United States

On Memorial Day, the American flag is first lowered to half-staff to remember the fallen, then raised high, a symbol of the country’s enduring spirit and resolve. In that same spirit of reflection and forward momentum, we recently released a series of essays in anticipation of the United States’ 250th birthday. The America at 250 collection explores the critical opportunities shaping the nation’s future across business, energy, healthcare, government, and more.

“We hope these ideas will spur thoughtful and productive discussion in a way that is helpful for the country’s leaders, the people they serve, the companies they lead and work for, and the nation,” say McKinsey’s Ankur Ghia, David Nuzum, Eric Kutcher, Gretchen Berlin, Scott Blackburn, and Tim Ward. This Memorial Day, we invite you to explore, or revisit, the America at 250 series.

America at 250: An introduction

How American business can prosper in the new geopolitical era

Boosting productivity in the US federal government

Capturing performance opportunities in US state and local governments

Empowering the US workforce

Powering a new era of US energy demand

Advancing America’s holistic health

An inside-out approach to leadership