The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization by Thomas L. Friedman - Book Report/Review Example

Topic: The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization The concept of ‘The world is one family’ is not yet an attainable reality from the religious/spiritual points of view, meaning such conflicts have not yet been overcome by the leaders in those areas. But an identical concept ‘globalization’ from the economic and business points of view has almost been achieved without making special efforts for it. It is a self-evolved phenomenon. The economic necessities have united the humankind from the secular considerations and geographic and geopolitical boundaries have been levelled. Global market place has come to stay. Political ideologies have been challenged by the forces of globalization. Thomas L. Friedman in his book The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization, while lauding the merits of globalization articulates about the threat it poses and pleads for the preservation of ancient traditions that are the lifelines of the cultural heritage of the concerned countries and geographical regions. He argues that such values should not be sacrificed at the altar of globalization merely for the sake of aggrandizement of wealth. According to Friedman, globalization has launched a silent, benevolent but relentless war and instead of destruction it has engaged and exceled in the areas of integration of financial markets, diluted the political ideologies of the nation states, exchanged technologies that have helped to change the lifestyles of humankind, and has proved how free-market mechanism is inevitable even within the hardcore communist countries. Religion is no bar for globalization. It is harsh and lauds the winners and losers have no place. It has provided matchless opportunities for the creative brains and enterprising businessmen without fear or favor. Internet revolution has led to business revolution and has created a new brand of buyers and sellers who are part of the “Electronic Herd”. By pressing a few buttons from one part of the world, the entrepreneur controls the business destiny in another remote corner of the world and plays the decisive role in the economy of that region. Globalization is like running the marathon race, but it should not be a mad race going by the cautionary signals provided by Friedman in his book. If man considers that he can conquer Nature, he is sadly mistaken. When Nature reacts humankind will land in a sorry plight. Environmental degradation is one of the serious outcomes of globalization. The post-cold war world is in for a serious trouble without actually opening the warfronts through weapons. The world society is changing since 1989 and no one is able to accurately gauge whether the change is for the better or worse in the ultimate analysis. As international trade flourishes, the geographical boundaries have limited meaning. Internet revolution has provided the power to the individuals to shape their own economic destiny. Friedman articulates, when globalization arrived it arrived like an avalanche, uncontrollable and uncheckable. Governments just watched, being unable to intervene decisively. Friedman acknowledges "globalization is everything and its opposite. It can be incredibly empowering and incredibly coercive. It can democratize opportunity and democratize panic . . . . It leaves you behind faster and faster and it catches up to you faster and faster” (p.406) Evan an intellectual and seasoned reporter like Friedman is confused about the true face of globalization and whether it can deliver permanent good to the humankind. Friedman’s book is not a research document but it is useful for the researchers in parts. The author is a widely traveled individual being a globe-trotting journalist and as such he is in a position to understand how globalization has impacted different countries practicing opposing political ideologies. According to him, globalization has proved to be the leveler, for which no political negotiators have been conducted between the countries involved. Economic relations have strengthened between such countries of their own. Growing economic interdependence and cross-border transactions are realities now and perhaps no power on earth will be able to reverse the trend. My personal perspective is, globalization is a phenomenon that will continue to demand new definitions and its scope will expand in all directions like the octopus. But it is difficult to accept some of the views expressed by Friedman. He argues that American culture and corporations will able to challenge and solve the negativities of the world and people will willingly accept globalization. The word culture is one of the confusing terminologies in present societal terms in America, and giants of the American business world are looking elsewhere to evolve the ethical code of business for the country as the definition of success in business is fast-changing and the objective of profiteering alone is taking the backseat. The business world is in search of noble men to implement the noble projects of corporate social responsibility initiatives. Friedman’s thesis that America alone can do it (success of globalization) is hundred percent inaccurate. Nevertheless, Friedman has written one of the best books on the subject of globalization with astute observations. The contents help an ordinary individual to understand the implications of globalization process. He argues, “Globalization is not a phenomenon. It is not just some passing trend. Today it is the overarching international system shaping the domestic politics and foreign relations of virtually every country, and we need to understand it as such" (p. 7) and has introduced some of the meaningful terminologies in the business world like "the democratization of technology" (p. 41), "the democratization of finance" (p. 47), and "the democratization of information" (p. 54) that should set the Finance Ministers of the courtiers all over the world thinking about the impact of globalization. Finally he emerges as the champion of free-market capitalism and at this point his conclusions are put to test. Work Cited Friedman, Thomas L. The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization. New York; Picador; 2012 Read More