José María Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain, analyzes the new global geopolitical scenario at the University of Navarra

Students enrolled in Degree Philosophy, Politics, and Economics PPE) at the University of Navarra'sSchool Philosophy Letters held a meeting José María Aznar, former President of the Spanish Government (1996-2004), as framework theCapstone Seminars subject . The session, chaired by the dean of the School, Julia Pavón, and moderated by Pablo Pérez, Full Professor Contemporary History, analyzed the current status and the main challenges facing Spain, Europe, and other powers in a context of profound change.

In his speech, Aznar described the current moment as a genuine "change of era," caused, in his opinion, by the disappearance of the international order that emerged after World War II, the return to a system of international relations based on confrontation between major powers—especially the United States and China—and the impact of a technological revolution, "the most disruptive in the history of humanity." In this context, he stressed that Spain is no stranger to these global processes and that, like any other country, it must face both international challenges and its own internal problems. Throughout the conversation, the former manager insisted on the need to understand the contemporary world in depth as a prerequisite for any political action. In this regard, he stressed that without study and intellectual effort, it is impossible to understand what is happening, let alone explain it or act on it.

During the dialogue, the status Europe and its role in the new global scenario were also addressed. The former president warned about the continent's loss of economic, technological, and strategic weight, recalling that the European Union has gone from representing approximately a quarter of global GDP to barely 15%. In his view, this development is the result of accumulated errors in energy, competitiveness, and innovation policies, as well as Europe's inability to lead the current technological revolution. "Today, there are no major business among the world's large technology companies," he said, warning of the consequences this has for the continent's autonomy and international influence. 

On the other hand, Aznar has defended the centrality of the Atlantic link and the relationship with the United States, which he considers inseparable from the history and strategic interests of Spain and Europe. Faced with the temptation to seek geopolitical alternatives, he has been explicit in stating that, despite its imperfections, the world of liberal democracies remains preferable to any model : "I would always prefer to live in an imperfect democracy than in a dictatorial world."

After the session, there was a question and answer session, during which students asked questions related to Latin America, the quality of democracy, disinformation, and the risks associated with technological power. In his responses, Aznar once again emphasized the importance of knowledge and intellectual judgment in order to avoid simplistic diagnoses and erroneous decisions. In this regard, he recalled that politics requires a "sense of history" and that its absence leads to serious errors in public action. 

The meeting with a defense of training as an essential element for staff freedom staff the health of democracies. HumanitiesI would make a massive commitment to the Humanities, Humanitieshe said, stressing that the study of history, literature, and Philosophy better understand reality, resist manipulation, and shape responsible citizens. He also pointed out that in a world marked by technological acceleration and uncertainty, reading, study, and reflection remain irreplaceable tools for guiding political and social action.