Thomas Friedman “The world is flat”



Thomas Friedman “The world is flat”

Introduction

Over the past few decades, globalization has put a major effect on the world, and the constant evolving of technology has caused great competition between corporations and nations. As Thomas Freidman explains in his book, “The world is flat”, globalization has flattened our economy; our developing world. Technologies such as the internet, Netscape, pay pal and eBay have aided in this process, as well as business strategies such as off shoring, in sourcing, open-sourcing, and outsourcing. The innovation of new resources and technologies has affected the world's policies, standards of living, and priorities.

Analysis

Before the outsourcing of fiber optics, the only way to become successful was to move to America and work. In 1951, India created India's Institute of Technology, a program which gave great education in science, mathematics, and engineering. After the students became educated, they would literally be shipped to the United States and work for American companies (Friedman, Thomas H, 2006).

Natives of India became American's “brainpower”. This was a great advantage to America because they would hire these highly educated individuals and have them work for minimal pay. “It was as if someone installed a brain drain that filled up in New Delhi and emptied in Palo Alto”(105, The world is Flat). When fiber optic cables were invented in 1996(because of Netscape) Indians no longer had to come to America to work. Instead, they were able to communicate with their American companies through “digital railroads” and never have to leave their homes or families. Prior to this, India had no resources and no contact with the rest of the world. As a nation, it possessed the intelligence and the ideas but lacked financial support and resources. Fiber optics gave India all the resources they needed. It gave them a FREE ride to any resources they wanted, including unlimited information by use of the internet, email, and thus, contact with the rest of the world. (The world is flat)Because countries such as India and China are becoming such great competitors, America is going to have to adjust…Friedman states“I'm worried about my country. I love America (Thomas L. Friedman, Joanne J. Myers, 2005).

I think it's the best country in the world. But I also think we're not tending to our sauce. I believe that we are in what Shirley Ann Jackson [president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute] calls ...