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1-Page Summary of The World Is Flat

Overall Summary

The World Is Flat is a nonfiction book by Thomas L. Friedman that looks at globalization and its impact on the United States in 2005. It’s divided into sections of “The Origin” and “Impact.” The author also analyzes what he calls a “flat world”—a term used to describe our global economy today.

Friedman first explains what he means by the term “flat world.” He then lists ten forces that helped to flatten the world. These are: The fall of the Berlin Wall, Netscape’s web browser, workflow software, uploading, outsourcing, offshoring, supply-chaining, insourcing and in-forming. After explaining these forces Friedman talks about a triple convergence which occurred around 2000 where people started using technology more effectively and connecting with each other globally.

The next section of the book discusses America’s relationship with the flat world, and it includes pros and cons. For example, free trade will have both positive and negative effects on jobs in the United States. In addition, Friedman shows how to prepare for a flat world by improving science education and funding research.

In a flat world, many countries have already adapted their policies to attract foreign capital. In fact, China has done the best job of adapting to this new world. Companies should adapt by collaborating with other companies and small firms should act like large ones and vice versa. The most important thing is that businesses remember they are bound only by their imaginations when following these rules.

The next section focuses on individuals. It explains how the Internet can help preserve cultures instead of homogenizing them. For example, when a country’s economy improves because of globalization, its citizens can stay in their native countries and work there rather than emigrating to another country. This helps strengthen that culture. Moreover, immigrants who remain connected to their native cultures via the Internet will be able to make changes back home if necessary. Friedman ends this section with a cautionary note about the dangers of the Web: it is possible for someone’s online presence to be tracked and recorded or false information spread about him/her.

Friedman has a positive view of globalization, but he also points out some negative aspects. Although the world is becoming “flatter,” there are still many parts that aren’t and won’t be for quite some time. He believes that if we don’t change our ways, we’ll return to a more geographically separated world due to sickness, poverty, or frustration. Friedman’s views on environmental degradation are also more pessimistic than optimistic: unless global consumption patterns change soon, the environment will not survive as well as it could in this flat world. The good news is that countries with intertwined economies tend to avoid war because they have too much at stake (i.e., money).

In the final section of the book, Friedman discusses two defining events for our generation: The fall of the Berlin Wall and 9/11. Both represent a choice between having hope and openness or despair and isolation. He argues that America must always stand for hope and encourage other nations to do so as well.

Chapter 1: “While I Was Sleeping”

In his book, Friedman talks about the notion that the world is flat. He first came up with this idea when he visited Bangalore in India in 2004. During his visit to Infosys headquarters, Nandan Nilekani showed him a conference room where people from around the world could meet and collaborate on projects through teleconferencing equipment and an Internet connection. This was what made Friedman realize that technology has leveled out the playing field for anyone who wants to compete globally.