Question

Thomas Friedman's book, The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, contends that "the convergence of technology and events that allowed India, China, and so many other countries to become part of the global supply chain for services and manufacturing, [created] an explosion of wealth in the middle classes of the world's two biggest nations, giving them a huge new stake in the success of globalization..." He continued by writing that with "this 'flattening' of the globe (which) requires us to run faster in order to stay in place... (brings us face to face with the reality that) the world has gotten too small and too fast for human beings and their political systems to adjust in stable manner..." Share your thoughts with the class about one of the following questions, all of which refer to "the world is flat" quotation. 1.Are the material incentives in China and India likely to make those middle class workers more supportive of a global economic and cultural system? Why or why not? 2.How do you account for the anti-globalization reactions of terrorism? 3.Are the new opportunities for Asian workers a threat to American workers? (Is this a zero sum situation?) 4.Will political systems be unable to maintain stability? Explain.

Answer 1

Friedman’s theory of the world is flat which he names as the Dell Theory of Conflict Prevention states that no two countries that are both part of a major global supply chain will ever be against each other as the economies could be affected by that and they donot want to hamper 5he profits of each other.

1. The theory emphasis on the how outsourcing is affecting different economies of the world.India and China are two economies that are emerging as superpowers and with globalisations jobs are also not stagnant at one place. As people migrate, their jobs migrate with them.Considering the factors of cheap labour and resources most of the companies look for their expansion in these two countries. The major reasons for middle class support in these countries are they are able to look out for variety of jobs bht at the same time due to availability of other substitutes the people are usually exploited in the name of expansion.

2. Terrorists group oppose the increase interactiom of world as free trade market on the basis that it is contrary to individual and national interest.The conservative thinking of these groups dont let people expand and experience the new spheres of market.They believe the globalization is affecting their culture and will harm the trade practices.Terrorism is the product of povert and unemployment, which turns out to be two major eradicating factors of globalisation .Eg: Afghanistan is entirely outside the world trade system and therefore the major reason qof terrorism hub. Saudi Arabia has been embedded due to its oil hub and has been a major issue of why the oil is used by other economies.

3.Yes, the ne opportunities for Asians is threat to Americans since the major crunch of jobs is shifted to regions with cheap labour and resources leaving Americans with only high end jobs. Most of the middle class population over there is not skilled enough to perform those leaving the unemployment levels high. Its is a zero game situation as the net gains for one region doesnot overweighs the losses of other.

4.Free trade nowdays is not in the hand of mere politicians. It is the essence of any economy.The stability can only be maintained by taking wise decisions with regards to employment and trade and how is it positively going to affect the economy.