The director of CATÓLICA-LISBON analyses how the world has shifted from a model of globalization to one of “bloc-alization” — a struggle between blocs that defend only their own interests. In this context, he believes that the European Union must build strong alliances with countries such as Canada and Australia, while forming tactical alignments with China, India, and Brazil. Filipe Santos also speaks about his experience as a young emigrant who taught in the United States and at INSEAD in France, the challenges facing higher education, and the opportunities opening up for Portugal within this new geopolitical landscape. He notes, however, that taking advantage of these opportunities also brings challenges — such as solving the housing crisis. He argues that “a rapid and significant investment in housing is needed,” while warning that “the middle class’s main problem is the very high tax burden on work for relatively low incomes."