The World Is Flat- the Globalization World in the Twenty First Century- Book Review
Introduction to International Business
Assignment Title: Individual Assignment – Book Review
Book title: The World Is Flat- the Globalization World in the Twenty First Century
Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Introduction
‘The World Is Flat- the Globalization World in the Twenty First Century’ is a well written book by Thomas L. Friedman based on his personal experience, case studies, and etc.
He explores the political and technological changes that have made the world a smaller place. From the explosion of the internet to the dot com bubble bust and outsourcing of jobs to India and China, globalization has evened the playing field for many emerging economies.
Prominent in Friedman's thesis are the effect of relocating outsourcing jobs from the West to the East, the rising knowledge globally and wealth in developing countries. This leads to the theme of the entire book which teaches us to stay curious and innovative, if we were to excel in a global economy. Furthermore, Friedman also discusses the setback for a negative ‘flat’ world, through terrorism in particular, there would be mutual disadvantage for all.
Main Theme
From Friedman’s journey around the eastern world, he realized globalization has changed in core economic concepts. He named this present era as Globalization 3.0, separating it from the previous Globalization 1.0 and 2.0, which countries and governments were the main characters and the multinational companies in 2.0. What created the flat world? He explains his theory with ten major forces that caused the flattening of the world, and three points of convergence.
First, being the Collapse of the Berlin Wall in 11/9/89, the "fall" of communism, and the start of Windows powered Personal Computers which had the ability for individuals to create their own content and connect to one another. As Friendman puts it, “When the walls came down, and the windows came up."
Secondly, the beginning of Netscape in 8/9/95: which broadened the audience for the
Assignment Title: Individual Assignment – Book Review
Book title: The World Is Flat- the Globalization World in the Twenty First Century
Author: Thomas L. Friedman
Introduction
‘The World Is Flat- the Globalization World in the Twenty First Century’ is a well written book by Thomas L. Friedman based on his personal experience, case studies, and etc.
He explores the political and technological changes that have made the world a smaller place. From the explosion of the internet to the dot com bubble bust and outsourcing of jobs to India and China, globalization has evened the playing field for many emerging economies.
Prominent in Friedman's thesis are the effect of relocating outsourcing jobs from the West to the East, the rising knowledge globally and wealth in developing countries. This leads to the theme of the entire book which teaches us to stay curious and innovative, if we were to excel in a global economy. Furthermore, Friedman also discusses the setback for a negative ‘flat’ world, through terrorism in particular, there would be mutual disadvantage for all.
Main Theme
From Friedman’s journey around the eastern world, he realized globalization has changed in core economic concepts. He named this present era as Globalization 3.0, separating it from the previous Globalization 1.0 and 2.0, which countries and governments were the main characters and the multinational companies in 2.0. What created the flat world? He explains his theory with ten major forces that caused the flattening of the world, and three points of convergence.
First, being the Collapse of the Berlin Wall in 11/9/89, the "fall" of communism, and the start of Windows powered Personal Computers which had the ability for individuals to create their own content and connect to one another. As Friendman puts it, “When the walls came down, and the windows came up."
Secondly, the beginning of Netscape in 8/9/95: which broadened the audience for the
References: Thomas L Friedman, (2005). The World is Flat – the Globalized world in the twenty first century. Book reviews and critics: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/books/review/01ZAKARIA.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1 http://www.reviewsofbooks.com/world_is_flat/ http://uclaforecast.com/reviews/Leamer_FlatWorld_060221.pdf