The World is Flat: A brief History of the Twenty - First Century by Thomas L. Friedman - Book Report/Review Example

The World is Flat: A brief History of the Twenty - First Century by Thomas L. Friedman The Book Globalization is changing human lives all over the world. The impacts of globalization are more prominent in the field of commerce. The book “The World is Flat: A brief History of the Twenty - First Century” by Thomas Friedman focuses on the process of globalization and its impacts during the twenty first century. Thomas Friedman realized that globalization has brought widespread changes in the economic field when he visited Bangalore, India. He felt that globalization was providing equal opportunities to developing countries all over the world. Globalization has flattened the competitive field in commerce, making it viable for companies in countries with emerging markets to compete with the companies based in industrial countries. And it in this context that Friedman presents his proposition that the world is flat. “The global competitive playing field was being leveled. The world was being flattened.” (Friedman, 2006, pg.8). He divides the process of globalization in three phases and also cites the forces influencing globalization in each phase. The first phase, Globalization 1.0 was the period when multinational companies were responsible for the rising levels of global integration. Globalization 2.0 is the second phase, during which the countries and their respective governments played a significant role in globalization. The present phase is Globalization3.0; in this phase the convergence of fiber-optic micro cable and the computer is influencing globalization. Friedman explains the factors such as flatteners, convergence of these flatteners which shaped the progress of globalization. In the end, Friedman offers his suggestions which can aid U.S. to face the challenges posed by globalization. Role of Geography In the third phase of globalization, the convergence of fiber-optic micro cable and computer has blurred the geographical boundaries. The connectivity provided by this convergence has made it possible for humans to transcend the geographical limitations. A company can be based in any country but it can collaborate with companies in other countries, with the help of this convergence. “Clearly it is now possible for more people than ever to collaborate…..corners of the planet and on a more equal footing than at any previous time in the history of the world-using computer, e-mail networks, teleconferencing, and dynamic software”. (Friedman, 2006, pg.8). The services utilized in one country are provided by the people living in another country. If the person has the talent than the country he/she is living becomes insignificant, he /she can live in one part of the world and work for a company in some other part of the world. “The The World Wide Web created a fenceless reality with instant feedback in which Bangalore would become as close as one’s own (American) backyard.” (Scott). The geography of the country has limited or no part to play in the era of globalization. It does not matter where the country is situated in the world, it can benefit from globalization if it can provide services to companies in other countries. The economy and talent pool is more important for a country to compete in the global market. As far as commerce is concerned, globalization has merged various countries in one single market. Friedman had also pointed towards this factor in the process of globalization. “But as the world has gone flat, Gates said, and so many people can now plug and play from anywhere, natural talent has started to trump geography.” (Friedman, 2006, pg.225). The technology that connects people from one part of the world to another part of world is the main factor that influences the participation of a country in the process of globalization. If the individuals in the country are proficient in using this technology and fulfilling the needs of companies in other countries, then the geography of their country becomes immaterial. If a company in a developed country is looking for specific skills in its employee and if an individual, who is proficient in those skills, is placed in another country then also the company goes ahead and employs that individual. And the reason for this development is the connectivity provided by the technology. Geography of the country, where the person is living in, is not considered by the company. Globalization is shaped by the type of connectivity that is prevalent among the people in various countries and the ability of the people to utilize that connectivity. And it is the development of this connectivity that will aid a country in its competition in the global market. The level of technology that is available in a country is more important than its geography. “Friedman explains the importance of the development of ''work flow platforms,'' software that made it possible for all kinds of computer applications to connect and work together, which is what allowed seamless cooperation by people working anywhere.” (Zakaria, 2005). The geography of the country and the development of the technology needed for globalization are two different factors. The geographical conditions in a country may not be favorable for the persons to engage in other activities. But connecting with other people through this technology is not dependent on the geographical conditions. The limitations placed by the geography of the country can be conquered by the technology which has made it possible for a person to reside in one part of the world and work with people in another part of the world. Theme One of the major themes presented in the book, is the rising power of developing countries such as India and China in the process of globalization.“In particular, Friedman is obsessed with one of the great economic phenomena of our day: the outsourcing of the U.S. economy's service and information-technology work to India, China and elsewhere.” (Bass, 2005). Friedman mentions in his book that with its talented pool of professionals, these countries are taking rapid strides in global market. Their proficiency and knowledge is going to be a challenge to the American people. “He meant that countries like India are now able to compete for global knowledge work as never before and that America had better get ready for this.” (Friedman, 2006, Pg.7). The impacts of globalization are more visible in the cities of these countries. The dedication and knowledge of the people living in these countries, combined with the availability of connectivity with any part of the world is strengthening their position in the global market. Friedman has provided the example of Infosys, a company in India, to bring forth its active participation in the process of globalization. This company is situated in Bangalore, India but its employees work for various American companies. And their network is spread all over the world and they are connected to each other through the connectivity provided by World Wide Web. “We could be sitting here, somebody from New York, London, Boston, San Francisco, all live. And may be the implementation is in Singapore, so the Singapore could be live here.” (Friedman, 2006, pg.6). The geographical conditions also help these countries to benefit from the process of globalization. “Flatter countries -- those with few natural resources -- will excel in a flat world. The flat, like Taiwan, Japan and coastal China, tap the creativity and entrepreneurship of their people better than the resource-rich fat, like the United States and Canada.” (Ticoll). The regional geography of these countries provides a favorable environment for their development and progress in global market. The lack of natural resources makes it easier for the governments of these countries to motivate their people to perform better in the field of commerce. The political geography of these countries is also conducive for their growth in the era of globalization. India and China, with their emerging markets, are expanding their networks throughout the world. Scores of jobs in various countries are being outsourced to these countries. Globalization has changed the lives of people living in these countries, in more ways than the other countries. Works Cited Bass, Warren. 2005. The Great Leveling. Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17314-2005Mar31.html (accessed 15 November, 2008) David, Ticoll. Flatism Will Get You Everywhere. http://integralvisioning.org/article.php?story=flatism (accessed 15 November, 2008) Friedman, Thomas. 2006. The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Scott, Barbara. The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century. curled.com. http://www.curledup.com/worldisf.htm (accessed 15 November, 2008) Zakaria, Fareed. 2005. Book Review: 'The World Is Flat': The Wealth of Yet More Nations. The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/books/review/01ZAKARIA.html?pagewanted =1&_r=1 (accessed 15 November, 2008) Read More