Globalization and Fragmentation

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The question has been asked whether Thomas Friedman or William Duiker was correct in their opinions about globalization and fragmentation. It appears that both authors are correct and their reasons are interconnected. If the world has become closer because of the economic markets and the internet, than it makes the debate that the world is flat relevant (William Duiker, 2010).

Thomas Friedman says that technology is equalizing the playing fields between wealthy and impoverished countries. With other countries catching up and even mastering technology in some instances, it allows to them to play on the same fields as the United States and other super powers. The telephone and computer industries have advanced tremendously and have countries like China and India into the global market as fierce competitors. Friedman calls this the leveling or flattening of the universe because of the abilities to invent and create a demand that brings in revenue that can change a countries outlook from being third world (poor) or a nation on the rise (Thomas Friedman, 2006)

According to Friedman, globalization has played a significant part in the shrinking landscape of the world and it makes international things appear more national or local. This began about thirty years back but gained traction after 911. Globalization has elevated the global modernization of living swifter than that at any other time in the history of the world, and it is supporting amazing economic growth (Thomas Friedman, 2006).

Friedman also uses a term called glocalization-where cultures infuse foreign ideas and better global practices with their own traditions to insure an enhanced form of living. Countries that open and willing to change are said ...

... middle of paper ...

...make relevant points. In an ideal world Thomas Friedman would be absolutely correct with technology bridging the gap between all societies, but we have run into set-backs as William Duiker suggested. In the world today we are experiencing economic melt downs amongst almost all of our developed nations, including the United States. The WTO has made it easier for trade and outsourcing of jobs and it has also contributed economic decline with loss of jobs. This could be the Clash of Civilization because it could throw developed nations back into poverty if we don’t have the resources to take care of ourselves.

Works Cited

Duiker, William J. Contemporary World History. 5th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2010. Print.

Friedman, Thomas L. The World Is Flat: a Brief History of the Twenty-first Century. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006. Print.

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