It’s an understatement to say the Fourth of July arrives at a fascinating time for the great American experiment.The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence arrives with the United States in the grip of a debt crisis, a technology revolution, a wealth boom and a period of crippling inequality and polarisation. Most of all, America remains in the grip of perhaps the most controversial, divisive and fascinating president in the republic’s history. Everything that makes America fantastic and flawed feels like it has been turned up to 11.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles