Analysis of Globalization in The Lexus and the Olive Tree - Book Report/Review Example

Book Review of The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization Globalization is continuously having profound impacts in people’s lives. The Book The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization which was authored by Thomas Friedman provides an insightful look into globalization. The title itself is evocative as ‘The Lexus’ embodies globalization while ‘The Olive Tree’ mirrors memories, values, tradition and history, among others. This essay will give an insightful review of this book which has been authored in a lucid and refreshing fashion. Friedman has a colorful and an interesting way of expressing himself. He begins this book by informing his audience that he sees globalization in the same manner that he watches the sun rise up each day (Friedman xxii). From the start, the author acknowledges that he is a realist as opposed to being an idealist. Rather than looking for a more changing vision of the wider society, he acknowledges the classic liberal compromise, accepting corporate rule by means of the free market and pledging to cushion those who plummet through the cracks. However, a global economy cannot be like the sun since if the sun did not rise, life forms would collapse; man, on the contrary has lived up considerably well without what is now termed as the global economy. Indeed, the view that Friedman has on globalization transcends an analysis of economic and political issues, as if it was some form of overbearing notion not just of the current affairs, but also of humanity itself. Where people usually engage in talks on growing market liberalization and economic interdependence, Friedman expounds on globalization. At some point, it is almost closing in on some form of religious idea, going over and above public affairs to philosophy. This is a book which gives an individual a perfect introduction to politics. This might seem to be an exaggeration. However, it is a book that one needs to read in order to have a good understanding of globalization. The book covers trade, geopolitics, anti-globalization, consumption, faith, human rights, finance, domestic politics and the environment. It is an outstanding book which has can really alter the way one thinks about the globe. For instance, chapter II, which has been entitled “Information Arbitrage”, is a perfect example of a motivational plan for a valiant new world. In the same breath, chapter 11 gives an insight on the vital significance of openness and democratization as the requirements for economic growth and development. However, one cannot fail to notice the flaw made by the author in the book; the little attention that cultural issues have been given. Friedman gives a blind eye to homogenization and Americanization of different cultures to the extent that it cannot escape the attention of the reader. In his defense, the author concedes that such a discussion would need another book. Yet, one still feels that possibly the issue has not been covered in its entirety since Friedman lacks the answers to those issues. On the contrary, maybe the readers could be underestimating the durability and the strength of the olive trees. Likewise, Friedman highlights a world which is ruthless, competitive and growing faster by the day. To some extent, the author glorifies this. However, there is another end to this story. Perhaps, this brave and new world is not all the author claims it to be. Downsides are linked to it which he does not address fully enough. Above all, it is a question on the quality of life. Friedman inquires whether the essential ruthlessness suppleness and so on is quite difficult and too fast for a long time for developed individuals and countries. Disconnection and over-connectedness both have quite serious repercussions. The author does note that there exist humanizing and empowering aspects of globalization which require to be objectified with its dehumanizing and disempowering aspects. One would prefer a fuller handling of this. Readers who believe that local culture is still the best antidote to the global markets will oppose the vision of the author on the latter’s communicable influence. As the Golden Straight Jacket metaphor implies, Friedman believes that every country has to conform to the same representation, with not room for national variation. This generally shows Friedman’s time which he spent in less developed nations. Such countries still have quite a long way to go in order to establish the institutional necessities for a market economy. However, one would ask himself/herself at this juncture that does globalization really insinuate that developing nations must adopt a similar set of institutions which are internet-driven? A special point of interest in this book which one finds really fascinating is the challenge that Friedman presents - grasping the amazing power of globalization while living unquestionably local lives. At least most people do. Furthermore, his ability to integrate several anecdotes into circumstantial evidence is quite impressive. Having not used graphs, or charts, he creates a convincing case which points out that indeed, Globalization is real. It is evident here that Friedman indeed observes the world from a realistic point of view. However, he does this from a completely capitalistic frame of mind. He really has an amazing perception of the way the world looks, but he resigns himself to tackling it by saying that that is the way things are and that people should not expect any changes. What appears to be an issue of contention is the fact that he points out all the negative things that occurs in free-market globalization, and, naturally, the reader would expect that he would provide sound social remedies to such. However, he does not offer any. He claims that that is the way things are, and that one has to shape up or ship out. In a way, it is realistic but also fatalistic. Though the book is oddly idealistic and somewhat outdated in the present settings, the book gives a fair view and background of the globe just as enormous social, technological, and economic changes are getting a foothold. Friedman concludes this book by giving an insightful analysis on the globalization politics, or to be more specific, the necessity for the political globe to work hard in order to defend globalization. He cautions that globalizers are in danger of being correct on the economics but could be losing on this debate’s politics. This warning still remains as relevant today s it was at that time. Works Cited Friedman, Thomas L.. The Lexus and the olive tree. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1999. Print. Read More