Globalization Transforms a Planet into a Flat World - Coursework Example

Critique of Thomas Friedman's article 'It's a Flat World, After All' Introduction Since the time of Christopher Columbus, various debates have come on the shape of the globe and whether the documented statistics are true or not. In an obvious way of thinking, this implies that the world is not static and that changes are part and parcel of peoples’ day to day lives. Thomas Friedman is among the many authors that have undertaken initiatives to research on the current changes that are taking place in the world on literary on the shape of the earth, but the revolutions and developments that are taking place (Schindler 2007). In his work, he indicates that at one time Columbus found out, that the world was indeed round, but later on, he is noted to claim otherwise. Friedman indicates that the world has now become flat and recommends that people embrace the changes as fast as they can. He also says that the globalization might not be in its finale but it is just on its early stages towards more developments. Friedman indicates in amazement that people might find themselves in his situation if action is not taken to be at par with the developments taking place in the world. Friedman (2005) indicates that he found himself ‘behind’ new technology at the time of conducting his research. New technologies had come up at the time of his research, and Friedman could not believe how people were in a position to hold meetings with people all over the world without their physical presence. In short, Friedman meant to say that new technologies are coming up, and it is a high time people get ready to embrace the new changes. He claims that other parts of the world have already embraced change, and are on the verge of restructuring their systems to welcome many more that may knock their doors. Body Tacit and codified knowledge and Technological determinism/social construction of technology In Abowitz and Roberts (2007) work, it is justified to argue that technology is one of the many reasons that led to Friedman indication that the world may be leveled. Pollack (2005) argues that among the most important forms of technology is outsourcing. Over the years, many countries have been on the run to acquire millions and billions of shillings to invest in the technological sector. All forms of technological advancement were welcome by all states no matter how minute, so long as they proved their ability to move the country an inch further towards technological advancement. With this taking place, Brakman and Marrewijk (2007) argue that it became easier for the world, not only to store data, but also to access to all undertakings in the world. As a result, computers became extremely cheap with more producers venturing into this market. From the invention, of computers and search engines that would allow for access to all forms of data, all parts of the world were welcome to give their contributions towards the technological process. People had the liberty to work in whichever manner they wanted, contribute ideas no matter their national affiliation or background. Friedman (2005) indicates that according to Nilekani, Infosys CEO, that the world is being rendered a leveled place to operate, he is almost a hundred sure of the CEO’s statement. This can be proven from the example of India that has been documented as one of the countries that are competing to be on the same field as the technology ‘giants’. America, on the other hand, is undoubtedly getting extremely petrified by this fact. Analysts have argued that the superpower has undertaken an initiative to ensure that it retains its top position it has had over the years. On another angle, the world is becoming flat by virtue of being compressed into a small village accessible by almost everyone in today’s contemporary world. Friedman (2005) is seen to be at pains trying to comprehend why the village is being referred to as flat. Upon discussion on globalization, it is evident to him how changes are taking place in the world. Gone are eras when people had to travel to all places in the world, in a physical manner so as to claim to have visited various places. Today’s flat world does not necessarily require people to physically witness gates of the world so as to claim to have cruised around the world. Lynn (2004) indicates that the world has access to all information it may require, even the smallest states are known to have a large collection of software necessary for collection and interpretation of information. According to Andreessen, co-initiator of Netscape, the world is fast becoming a technologies place; everything is virtually possible. People, who still rely on manual and practical work, may be overcome by events of the new ‘flat world’ that computerizes everything. Friedman (2005) is able to embrace the thought of the world being flat from the argument, that the most wanted terrorist, Bin Laden, was able to organize his troops without having to see them, but through coded data on a computer screen. In line to this argument, the world is a ‘flat’ place from the thought that all activities taking place in the world can be traced; just by a click. This can be equivocated to people standing on a street and having the ability to see what happens ahead of them, behind them and even at the point they are standing. In short, this means that the world is being flattened through the ability to get information on the happenings in the poles, equator and all longitudes in the world with no hassle. With access to laptops that have the ability to operate on wireless networks, it has become much easier to make leveling of the world successful. With the world being exposed to technology; the idea of being flat gains impetus. Daft (2008) argues that in 1989 marked the click towards the flat world. As far as Friedman is concerned, this marks the year when Microsoft Windows was invented. This year is also associated with the bringing down of the Berlin wall. What is implied in regard to ‘flat world’? This is a mere symbol that the world was preparing itself towards the changes that the world was offering and not enclosure within their own boundaries. According to Steinfeld (2008) introduction of the 3.0 system meant that the world was preparing for a better future ahead. Six years later, another form of technology is invented, Netscape. The benefits of this technology cannot be exhausted in just a day. Friedman (2005), however, indicates that Netscape contributed to making the worlds flat through making it possible for access of the internet by a high percentage of people. It is through the internet that different search engines like Google make search of world issues useful. Invention of Netscape has been attributed to making the world flat through the spark it founded on the dot com era. After the invention, of Netscape is when other inventions were made possible in the field of telecommunication. Hofkman (2007) argues that the world has continued being flat with the innovation of fiber-optic cables that have stretched to all corners of the world. The entire world has been reduced into a mere neighborhood of people not differentiated by physicality, but with the ability to communicate and trade withy their new ‘neighbors. The world in this context may be termed as flat from the ability of people to communicate with one another despite their distance. China is among the country’s that is credited towards making the world flat from its contribution to the telecommunication industry. More inventions in the field of telecommunication created novel flattening in the world like embracing outsourcing. Livingston (2004) indicates that outsourcing ensures that all systems in a computer are able to connect with other computers. This fact makes transfer of data from one place to another in the world an easier task. On the other hand, off shoring is made easy through shifting of materials and information over the continents. Open sourcing and in sourcing has benefited most companies in the globe from the ability to run their transactions online with lesser difficulties unlike before. Delivery of goods need not be a difficult task. Friedman (2005) is amazed at how people are able to shop for goods online not necessarily having a one on one contact with the suppliers. It is amazing how the world has been leveled, and the continuing efforts to make the levels more flat in the subsequent years. Through technology, the world has been reduced into a level ground through unlimited access of data from all over the world, a fact Andreas, Horst and Dominique (2007) refer to as informing. The world continues being flat through the introduction of steroids or rather wireless network access modes (Maxwell and Boxma 2009). Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is also listed among the world ‘flatteners’ through its ability to make communication in the world extremely easy. People are offered a chance to talk to each other despite the corners of this world that they inhabit. Steroids ensure that all gadgets for communication are linked in such a way that information is disseminated easily from one place to another. By the year, 2000 the world had already become a flat place and the process of flattening is not likely to end any time soon. In fact, studies indicate that, the more the world is being flattened; sophisticated research is taking place in the globe. Countries like China, India, and U.S.A are documented to stop at nothing until the world becomes a completely level place for every individual (Cox 2008). To prove the fact of continuity of research to make the world leveled is going on, Friedman (2005) holds interviews with representatives of Microsoft Company who indicate that they are aiming to establish stations all over the world for purposes of research. Representatives have been said to embark on an initiative to acquire the best individuals from China to assist in research in the field of telecommunication. Indians, on the other hand, are also on the move to conduct further research in the field of telecommunication. Conclusion Conclusively, Leamer (2007) aims to elucidate the view, that as the years progress, there is a great likelihood that the world will be extremely leveled with all people in the world, with an opportunity to get a little part of all other countries either through trade, communication or any other form. However, he indicates that maintain the process of flattening the world may be a bit challenging especially if the populace do not embrace the changes with the urgency required. His article may be rated as one of the best that incorporates all aspects of a ‘flat’ world, as well as the expected changes to take part in the near future (Wiley and Hilton 2011). In the article, clear categorization of the globalization process is evident and a lucid shrinking of the world into a minute and flattening place. Bibliography Abowitz, K. and Roberts, J. 2007. The Fallacies of Flatness: Thomas Friedman’s The World Is Flat. Journal of Philosophy 2007:8; 2, 90-118. Andreas, P., Horst, H. and Dominique, F. 2007. Tacit and codified knowledge. New York: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. Brakman, S. and Marrewijk, C. 2007. It's a big world after all. New York: CESifo Publishers Cox, K. 2008.Globalization, uneven development and capital: reflections on reading Thomas Friedman's The World Is Flat. Journal of Regions Economy and Society 2008: 34,6, 65-88. Daft, R. 2008. New era of management. New York: Cengage Learning EMEA.  Friedman, T. 2005. It's a Flat World, After All. New York Times, April 3, 2005. Hofkman, B. 2007.Economic justice in an unfair world: Towards a level playing field. Journal of Economic Literature 2007: 45; 23, 99-101 Leamer, E. 2007. A Flat Leveling Field. Journal of Economic Literature. 2007; Volume: 45, Issue: 1, Pages: 83-126 Livingston, D. 2004. The Profits and Pains Of Outsourcing; A Retailer, but Acting Like a Manufacturer. New York Times, Published: December 6, 2004. Lynn, R. 2004. The Profits and Pains of Outsourcing; Gain Experience, Then Look Abroad. New York Times, Published: December 6, 2004. Maxwell, N. and Boxma, A. 2009. Does a “Flat World” Level the Playing Field? An International Journal of Learning. 2009; Volume 23. 8, pp.67-98 Pollack, A. 2005. International Business; Medical Firms Join the Trend To Outsourcing. New York Times, February 24, 2005. Schindler, F. 2007.A long brief look at globalization, review of "The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century"; Friedman, T.; 2005). Ieee Microwave Magazine 2007. Steinfeld, E. 2008. Playing our game: Why China's economic rise doesn't threaten the West. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Wiley, D and Hilton, J. 2011. A Case Study on Flat World Knowledge Flat World Knowledge. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning 2011:11, 45, 67-99. Read More