News Breakdown: 2025 Outlook

By Alexis Trifon

A few years ago, I picked up a book I couldn’t finish. It argued that life is predetermined, that our experiences are the inevitable consequences of past choices and circumstances. The idea unsettled me—not just because of the sense of inevitability, but because it suggested our capacity to change and act with agency might be limited by forces beyond our control. This thought stayed with me, and as we enter a new year, with the uncertainty of the post-election, this tension feels particularly prevalent. As human beings, we are drawn to collective life, to communities that promise stability and meaning. Yet, the same instinct for connection is the root of so many of our conflicts. Democracies prioritize equality and opportunity; oligarchies cling to wealth and power. These visions of justice clash, destabilizing the very systems they aim to uphold. Beneath these divisions lies a deeper question: How do we navigate the forces that shape us while still individually shaping the future?

Aristotle offers an answer in his vision of the polis. For him, a political community doesn’t exist only for survival or economic exchange, but for something higher: living well. The goal of governance, he argues, is to create conditions where people can cultivate their virtues and fulfill their potential. Rights, from his perspective, are not isolated entitlements but part of a shared moral fabric—a framework that prioritizes the collective good over individual self-interest.

This idea is not confined to ancient philosophy. When America’s Founding Father's set out to create a republic, they faced a similar challenge: how to harmonize competing interests in a union that could endure for centuries. They applied what we now call First Principles Thinking, breaking problems down to their fundamentals and designing systems in order to address them. They sought to replace monarchy with a government that reflected the diverse needs of its people, balancing liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness.

But America’s story is not just one of design; it’s one of conflict and compromise. The tensions between freedom and dependence, innovation and tradition, have defined the nation’s character. These same tensions resonate in today’s debates—whether over economic inequality, the role of technology, or the balance between individual rights and the common good.

What makes these struggles so fascinating—and so instructive—though is that they’re universal. They echo far beyond politics into economics, science, and even our personal lives. They remind us that human nature is both a constraint and a source of potential. We are shaped by our instincts, flaws, and virtues, but we are also capable of imagining new possibilities and working to realize them.

The uncertainty of 2025—whether politically, socially, or economically—can feel paralyzing. Other important questions include: What values are we choosing to uphold and how do we promote them accordingly?

I believe that the answer lies in our respect for the values the U.S. stands for, with the courage to innovate in the future. Like Aristotle maintains, this balance is one that leaders must strike, whether they’re shaping policies, businesses, or movements. Leaders must harmonize competing interests by fostering a shared vision of justice, one rooted in ethical leadership and communal values. In a world that often feels predetermined, our greatest power is in our response and in the actions we take as a society.

Historically, moments of intense polarization have often been followed by transformative change. While lifespan and quality of life have improved globally, humans tend to fixate on the past and critique the present. In such environments, it only takes one event or a charismatic leader to exploit these divisions, often for political or personal gain. This pattern is not just part of our current landscape—it’s also a key driver of the uncertainty we face today. It’s part of the cyclical nature of democracy and human nature.

Polarization, at its core, will always exist. It can push society in different directions—toward greater efficiency or increased dysfunction. Recently, I conducted a small research study at university which highlights the extent of political polarization in the United States, with 75% of participants in the study ranking the nation as "strongly polarized" or higher. The findings reflect the palpable divide many Americans feel as ideological gaps continue to widen. A striking 60% of participants expressed concern about the future, predicting civil unrest or violence in the next decade. This sense of impending conflict is paired with a lack of trust in the government, as 60% of respondents indicated that they believe the U.S. will experience more—or the same—levels of political division in the future and do not feel strongly that the government is acting in their best interests.

These sentiments were echoed in personal reflections, with one participant plainly stating, “I feel more connected to people with similar views, but I feel more isolated from those who don’t.” Another shared, “More isolated—it feels nearly impossible to have a civilized political conversation with anyone in today’s current political state.” These responses speak to the deepening divide, not just in politics, but in personal relationships and communication. The ability to have meaningful dialogue across ideological lines seems increasingly difficult, underscoring our society's fragmentation.

Addressing polarization will require tackling its systemic roots—rebuilding trust in institutions and fostering spaces for political unity. "Third places," such as libraries and community centers, are vital in this process, especially as they continue to decline. Opportunities also lie in moderate policies, electoral reforms, and electing leaders who prioritize compromise and unity over division.

The path forward may not always be clear, but the choices we make today—whether in politics or relationships—are the building blocks for a more unified, purposeful future. Through our actions and beliefs as individuals we will shape what comes next because agency does exist in democracy. As we enter 2025, I hope this year is defined by the word “community,” and a rebuilding of unity amongst people and the government, which can help bring prosperity and progress at home and around the world.