Research Paper on "World Is Flat"

Research Paper 4 pages (1211 words) Sources: 1 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Flat by Thomas Friedman

Thomas Friedman has been considered as one of the foremost authority in the discourse of globalization as seen in his work "The World is Flat." Globalization refers to the emerging linkages between international market and political systems, in which policy decisions undertaken in one state and society have specific global repercussions. These linkages have led Friedman to believe that the world has gone flat, that the world has been evolving in one global community, as cultural and ideological barriers have been eroding through time.

The world is flat; in my view is a situation wherein the world is rearing towards a homogenous lot. A transformation anchored on the onward march of technological innovation in practically every segment of socio-economic and political life.

Friedman discusses the concept of the triple convergence. Friedman argued, "It is not about ruling, there is no one who would rule, it is about how you can create a great opportunity for yourself and hold on to that or keep creating new opportunities where you can thrive." Friedman disclosed, "That the triple convergence reshape political identities, recast political parties and redefine who is a political actor, the great outsourcing out. It refers to how communities and companies define themselves, where companies and communities stop and start, how individuals balance their different identities as consumers, employees, shareholders and citizen and what role government has to play" Convergence paves the way for the creation of an increasingly horizontal (connect and collaborate) model. Friedman expressed his views on globalization, in relation to free trade. Goods are not the only things tradable but more importantly services and this has led to more specialized jobs in the service sector.

China and India have been prime movers in the globe; this premise was evident in the number of points raised by the author regarding the two countries' seemingly influential function in making the world flat. India has been at the forefront if it, as its knowledge workers have been tapped for the preparation of firms around the world against the Y2K bug and the country is perceived as the hub of call centers and outsourced services. As China decided to implement more liberal programs in its domestic economy it became an economic power to contend with in the international scene. With its massive domestic market, cheap and skilled manpower and disciplined workforce, China has indeed become an awakened giant. Chinese goods and services have flooded the global market and have over recently posed a threat to U.S. And Japan. In the past, China's economy was forecasted to be on the verge of overheating, but as they expand their market beyond their borders of their region and under the able stewardship of their planners, China's economy continuous its onward march. One threat I see would be externalities leading to an eventual market failure. As China consumes more of the world's oil resources it also becomes its worst pollutant, with its factories churning out toxic substances to the environment. Its government should be vigilant on this concern. While I share Friedman's emphasis on these two countries, other emerging centers of growth are still emerging in other areas of the globe. The Asian tigers that include Taiwan, Korea and Vietnam are good examples.

I believe that the three most important flatteners are outsourcing, off shoring and supply sharing. Outsourcing in my view is a clear manifestation of developing countries catching up with the industrialized west. It is a for of validation of the fact that industrialized countries could tap the manpower of the third world, considered as relatively at par and in some instances more… READ MORE

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