How does Thomas Friedman define 'globalization'? How does this differ from your prior understanding?
Okay, let's dive into this topic. Friedman's book The World Is Flat was incredibly popular back in the day. His definition of "globalization" truly offered a fresh perspective for many people, including myself.
Thomas Friedman's View of "Globalization": More Than Just McDonald's Everywhere
Imagine standing on a huge playground. In the past, this field had mounds of dirt and trenches, and only the strongest and best-equipped individuals (like large nations or corporations) could stride easily across it. Now, a giant bulldozer has flattened the entire playground. This is the core metaphor of Friedman's globalization—the world is flat.
Therefore, Friedman defined “globalization” by dividing it into three eras:
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Globalization 1.0 (1492 – 1800)
- Primary Actor: Nations.
- This era saw explorers like Columbus and Magellan, representing nations such as Spain and Britain, connecting the world in pursuit of resources, land, and power. The driving force was national "muscle" and horsepower.
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Globalization 2.0 (1800 – 2000)
- Primary Actor: Companies.
- In this phase, steam engines, railways, telephones, and multinational corporations became dominant. Companies drove global business expansion by seeking new markets and lower production costs. The "Made in China" we know so well is a hallmark of this era.
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Globalization 3.0 (2000 – Present)
- Primary Actor: Individuals.
- This is the essence of Friedman's theory. He argues that around the year 2000, following the dot-com bubble's rise and burst, a convergence of key technologies (like fiber optics, personal computers, web browsers, and collaborative software) miraculously came together, creating an entirely new platform.
- This platform profoundly "flattened" the world. Traditional barriers like geographic location, social background, and company size are rapidly diminishing.
- In this "flat" world, an engineer in Bangalore, India, can collaborate in real-time on the same project as an engineer in Silicon Valley, USA; a small workshop in Yiwu, China, can sell goods to a customer in Brazil via Alibaba.
- The core definition is this: Globalization 3.0 empowers every "individual" with the ability to compete, collaborate, and innovate globally. The protagonists are no longer nations or corporations, but you, me, and every single individual capable of connecting to this platform.
How Does This Differ From My Previous Understanding?
Before reading Friedman’s book, my understanding of globalization, to be honest, was still stuck at the "Globalization 2.0" stage. The differences can be summarized in the table below:
| Dimension | My Previous Understanding (Common View) | Friedman's Perspective |
|---|---|---|
| Who are the players? | Globalization is a game for big corporations and big capital. E.g., Coca-Cola selling worldwide, iPhones assembled in China. It felt like their business. | Everyone is a potential player. The protagonists shifted from "companies" to "individuals." You could freelance for an overseas design job or team up with people globally to develop an app. |
| Core driving force? | Primarily economics and trade. E.g., lower tariffs, free trade agreements, container shipping improving efficiency. | The convergence of technology. Friedman lists the "Ten Flatteners," including PCs, browsers, workflow software, open-source code, outsourcing, supply chaining, and search engines. These tools empower individuals. |
| How does it feel? | Globalization is a vast, passive process. We are either its beneficiaries (buying cheaper goods) or its victims (jobs moved away). | Globalization is an active, immediate, and irreversible reality. It's not something distant; it places both challenges and opportunities directly before you. You must continuously learn new skills to stand firm in the flat world—otherwise, you risk getting run over. |
| Form of competition? | Competition between companies, competition between nations. | Horizontal competition between individuals. Your competitor is no longer just the colleague in the next office; it could be an equally talented individual on the other side of the globe. |
A Simple Analogy:
- My previous view of globalization: Like watching the World Cup; we are spectators watching the big-name clubs (multinational corporations) play on the field, occasionally buying a jersey to support them.
- Friedman's depiction of globalization: More like an open online gaming server. No matter who you are or where you live, if you have internet access and skills, you can log in, team up with players worldwide, or compete against them on the same stage.
In conclusion, Friedman's definition shifts the spotlight from grand national narratives and corporate tales squarely onto each ordinary person. It tells us: The stage is set, and it's flat—now it's your turn to take center stage. It was truly quite a revelation for me at the time.