ASSIGNMENT: The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman Discuss the book in general and what he means by a "flat world" and what conditions make it flat. Focus on at least one specific topic such as 10 flatteners or the 7 rules for companies
The book by Thomas Friedman, "The World is Flat", discusses the enormous changes regarding technology and communications which have altered the lives of people all over the globe (1). A large aspect in regards to the "flat world" is that we are competing with foreigners all over the world for jobs, status, and power.
Friedman states that the world is flat because he sees it as a "level playing field" with converging opportunities (4). He discusses events such as the creation of global supply chains, the Soviet bloc, and the capitalist restructuring of China which have broken down the "vertical walls" and created a single global marketplace (4). He also focuses heavily on the increasing use of technology and its ability to connect entrepreneurs all over the world. Friedman feels that the world is flattened due to the new globalized economics which have connected collaborating and competing individuals that are seeking opportunities.
Friedman discusses the oneness of the world, by writing about the flattening of our world due to several key event and forces. Friedman is overall a "technological determinist", because he focuses on the idea that technology determines what is possible for us (3). He states that our flat world has given us the exposure to several possibilities. The coming of supply-chaining as well as outsourcing are factors which contribute to the oneness of our world (3).
The 10 Flatteners
The core of the book discusses the 10 trends which Friedman thinks ...
... middle of paper ...
...ow about you but I feel that this world especially America is running way to fast already. When was the last time you stopped for a moment to appreciate the simple things in life. I believe that this is a question that we all must ask ourselves. Are we willing to trade in simplicity and beauty for technology and speed?
Bibliography
Friedman, Thomas. "The World is Flat"." New York Times "Foreign Affairs" (2005)
13 November, 2006 .
Drum, Kevin. "Falling flat: Thomas Friedman's recycled view of globalization." The
Washington Monthly May, 2005 1-3. 16 Nov 2006 .
Satin, Mark. "Thomas Friedman's The World Is Flat: Where's the depth?" Radical
Middle Newsletter 15 May 2005 1. 16 Nov 2006 .
Lotta, Raymond. "IMPERIAL TUNNEL VISION AND THE REAL WORLD." A
Jagged, Unjust, and Obsolete World: 10 Sept 2006 16 Nov 2006 .
As Americans we have to start to comprehend that the world around us is changing technologically, politically, and economically. In “The Last Superpower” an excerpt from the book The Post American World by Fareed Zakaria published in 2008. Zakaria emphasizes on these changes. Thomas Friedman the author of “The World is Flat” a piece from the book The World is Flat: A brief history of the twenty-first century published in 2005 also emphasizes on the same changes currently happening in the world. Zakaria and Friedman define these changes as globalization. The obvious common ground shared by both authors is their representation of globalization and the effects that it has and will continue to have on modern life. In contrast to sharing the same main topic both authors take a drastically different approach on how the relay their information to the audience. The differences displayed are mainly due to their personal and educational backgrounds, definitions of globalization as well as the individual writing styles of each author.
Arguments supporting the "flat world theory" come mainly from Friedman. His argument rests on the assumption of ten flatteners and a triple convergence. Friedman says that the power of new information technology has helped bring the world closer together and has made it more interconnected and interdependent (Friedman, 2005). More people now have access to this technological platform for education, innovation and entrepreneurship (Friedman, 2005). However, Florida (2005, p.51) argues that this flat playing field mainly affects the advanced countries, which see not only manufacturing work but also higher-end jobs. Other developing or undeveloped countries simply do not have the luxury of this connection and are left out of this technological platform. Florida (2005, p.51) contends that “...there are more insidious tensions among the world’s growing peaks, sinking valleys, and shifting hills”. This inequality is growing across the world and within countries.
...nce, that while the bourgeoisie can assert its interests everywhere.” (Conklin & Fletcher, 1999, p. 50). Even though today’s society has branched away from an imperialistic mindset, the roots of globalization promote the advancements of power to those who are already very much in power, minus the war and the bloodthirsty monopolizations. To step outside the spectrum of imperialism, and ponder upon today’s world culture, America seems to be shaping the world, as we know it. The blueprint of progress and ever changing industrial, economical and global influences are greatly dependent on that of America and their innovations. It may not be American scientists behind the computers at NASA or behind the keyboards of Windows computers but there are U.S. based industries. The exponential progress of Globalization can be directly linked to American affairs, without a doubt.
Makwana, R. (2006). Globalization: neoliberalism and economic globalization. Retrieved April 05, 2014, from Share The World’s Resources website: http://www.stwr.org/globalization/neoliberalism-and-economic-globalization.html
Constant change and a flat, global competitive market landscape were described by Thomas Friedman, author of The World is Flat, as triple convergence and was a result of the ten flatteners. Friedman also stated that in “Globalization 1.0, countries had to think globally. In Globalization 2.0, companies had to think globally to thrive, or at least survive. In Globalization 3.0, individuals have to think globally to thrive, or at least survive.” (Friedman, 2007) The concept of needing individuals to think globally and thrive in the market led Friedman to travel and report on various educational cultures across the world. Friedman was determined to find “the right stuff” to make the youth in future generations competitive globally.
The closing decades of the twentieth century ushered in the digital age and spelt an end to the Industrial Revolution. At no other period of time in our history of time in our history has there been so much change affecting every aspect of our daily lives. Things that once made each culture unique and different are now being replaced or modified by things that do not. Individuality is out; being part of the ‘global village’ is in. Politically, countries are being forced to change to accommodate decisions imposed on them by international bodies over which they have little
The phrase: "the world is flat" can be interpreted in many ways. Basically what Friedman means by "flat" is "linked." The falling of trade and political barriers and technical advances have made it possible to do business, instantaneously with billions of other people around the world. It has allowed for parts of the world, which had previously been cut off, like China and India, to successfully compete in the world market. Thus, the playing field is being leveled, and no one nation has an advantage. Friedman could also refer to a "flat world" in a metaphorical sense. In a spherical earth you cannot see around the world and cannot recognize the opportunities far from where you live. If the world were flat you could see it all. There would be no barriers to get in your way. This is the equivalent to a smaller globe which allows one to reach far away opportunities.
Overtime, as shown through the shift from Fordist to Post-Fordist ideals for production, it takes long period of time to mix people and nations closer together. This is being done through technological innovation, as technology is helping to dissolve former barriers of time and distance. Factories that used to dominate the United States have now spread throughout the world, providing jobs for people globally. Consumers are also on an international level, as there is a greater awareness and understanding of what is happening everywhere. Globalization, however, also produces economic and social disorders while producing public concerns over job security, the distribution of economic gains, and the impact of instability on people. Many people also worry about a growing focus of economic power, harm to the environment, danger to public health and safety, the breakup of native cultures, and the loss of power and responsibility within government. I believe that as a global citizen, I have to look at all perspectives from people in different situations and realization how current times have come to be. I am a part of an entire world community and all my actions, although in a miniscule amount, contribute to building the world’s community values and practices. By living in the United States and attending UW Madison, I
...in the new “flat world” individuals need to figure out how to become “untouchable.” He explains that “untouchables are people whose jobs cannot be outsourced, digitized, or automated” (184). He explains that in a “flat world” there is no longer a job based solely on geographic, but rather in most cases an available job “will go to the best, smartest, most productive or cheapest worker-wherever he or she resides” (183). He goes on to show that companies and individuals have to look at the global picture today in order to succeed (183).
...o we can achieve our dreams in life: “we are now living in a world where time and space don’t matter anymore” just like J.Mittleman said. Globalization as we just learned is relative, whether it’s an opportunity or an exploitation depends on where you sit and how you look at the world. Kent, J., Kinetz, E. & Whehrfritz, G. Newsweek. Bottom of the barrel. - The dark side of globalization (2008/March24). David, P. Falling of The Edge, Travels through the Dark Heart of Globalization..Nov 2008. (p62)
world is becoming so fast it is not very nice to make it even faster.
Globalization unites people from North to South and from East to West. In doing so, Benjamin Barber concludes that MacWorld or Globalization of politics has four principles including the market imperative, the resources imperative, the information technology imperative, and the ecological imperative. First, the spread of communication technologies has impacted the world as its growing influence is confirmed by the rapid application of the latest scientific advances to products and processes. Barber argues that the scientific progress has deeply influenced the development of mass communication that requires the share of information between the nations. And now, big multinational corporations depend on powerful communication technologie...
Stiglitz, Joseph (2005), “The Overselling of Globalization,” in Bradley A. Thayer, Nuray V. Ibrayomova (eds.), Debates in International Relations (New York: Longman), 86.
The book, The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman draws attention to some very good points concerning globalization and the world economy today. Friedman emphasizes the status of America today in relation to the other countries of the world. As I looked at the things in which he warned about or highlighted, I realized the importance of this issue. He talks about a few aspects in which need to be kept competitive in order for America to retain their current standing in the world market.
Larsson, Thomas. The Race to the Top: The Real Story of Globalization. Cato Institute, 2001.