The Professorship of Exemplarity analyses the role of the United States in world geopolitics with José María de Areilza

CUNEF Universidad’s Professorship of Exemplarity organised a roundtable discussion under the title “Does the United States have a problem?” on Monday, October 6. Javier Gomá Lanzón, Chair of Exemplarity, discussed the issue with Professor José M. de Areilza Carvajal, Secretary General of Aspen Institute Spain and holder of the Jean Monnet Chair at ESADE. During the session, Professor de Areilza conveyed some key insights:

• The US is facing a triple problem—in democracy, in the economy and in defense—that has spread to Europe:.
• In the democratic system, President Trump’s administration is eroding the checks and balances.
• In the economy, decisions on issues such as tariff policy or closing the borders against the arrival of immigrant population are being made without an economic logic to support them.
• In defense, the United States needs allies in the face of China’s rise and does not consider Europe an effective partner.
• Trump represents a very wrong answer to very accurate questions from part of the population that did not feel represented.
• The AI governance policy in the United States is the complete opposite of China’s. While the US is willing to invest unlimited resources to harness all its advantages and benefit as it spreads worldwide, China wants a controlled, monitored model for global official propaganda.
• The war in Ukraine is going to determine Europe’s future. China’s support for Russia is the only reason why Vladimir Putin is staying in this war.
• In this context, students must understand and speak the language of geopolitics to analyse the big problems of society from a moral perspective.

The Professorship of Exemplarity seeks to embed the contributions of Humanities into teaching and research in all fields of knowledge at CUNEF Universidad, as well as to enhance and consolidate the Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. The Professorship regularly organises activities involving students, research and advice on recruiting talent at CUNEF Universidad.