Flattening Our World

Manford Steger organizes the ideological claims of market globalists into five areas after analyzing hundreds of online and offline newspaper and magazine articles. He clarifies that the claims are an effort to “sell their political and economic agenda” (Globalization A Very Short Introduction, 2009.) Thomas Friedman supports this research by providing examples from his own experiences in his book, The World is Flat.

Claim One states, “Globalization is about the liberalization and global integration of markets” (p.103). Friedman witnessed this as he visited the Infosys’s global conferencing center and Nilekani shared how “…American designers could be on the screen speaking with their Indian software writers and their Asian manufacturers all at once” (p.6). He goes on to share how we have shifted through eras to the point of a “newfound power for individual to collaborate and compete globally” (p.10).

Claim Two focuses on “globalization being inevitable and irreversible.” (p.103) Friedman indicates there are three eras of globalization. The first era (1492-1800) was represented by country muscle and how creatively it was deployed. As we shifted into the second era (1800-2000), the world moved to a faster paced society with multinational companies, global markets and global labor. We began to narrow the focus in relation to where my company fits into globalization. In the third and current recent era (2000 – today), individuals have become more empowered than before changing the mindset to how and where I fit in as we begin to collaborate amongst the globe.(p.9-10) Power is a hard thing to hand over once established. To move in the opposite direction is impossible.

Claim Three indicates “nobody is in charge of globalization”(p.103). While the previous information regarding the focus on individual power in our current era, Friedman also offers other evidences. He addressed a phrase by Nikelani that rang in his ears, ‘Tom, the playing field is being leveled’ (p.7). He was learning that America was being challenged by India as they had begun competing for global knowledge.

Claim Four is that “globalization benefits everyone” (p. 103). Friedman shares multiple examples of outsourcing and the advantages to all parties involved. One example included the Nighthawk radiologists that are able to be provided after-hours CAT scan readings to help when there are staffing needs. This speeds up processes that would otherwise lead to possible delays which impact a person’s health and could quite possibly result in fatality if the wait were increased. (p.16)

Claim Five states “Globalization furthers the spread of democracy in the world” (p.103). Friedman goes on to explain the communication changes taking place in organizations including our government, businesses and people that is leading to the “emergence of completely new social, political and business models” (p.48). Governments and bug businesses as we know them are changing. People have more power in the current era.

While the flattening process brings great changes that allow for increased communication and greater markets, it is far from perfect. In Friedman’s interview he states, “flat does not mean equal”. While globalization is bringing more power to some, others are suffering from it as we watch countries dominate in some areas. Mexico has stalled in these areas according to Friedman, while China and India have increased in reforms.
He goes on to make it clear that “development is a choice, not inevitable”. While we have those who are moving forward with good intentions, let us not forget there are those such as Al Qaeda with devastating intentions. As we watch our world “flatten”, my hope is that it is not in a literal sense!