The World is Flat

Thomas Friedman

Three Stages of Globalization

• 1492-1800 – Countries

• 1800-2000 – Companies

• 2000- --- Individuals and small groups

Playing field has gotten flat

• Convergence of technology

• Flat countries/companies/organizations can plug and play equally

• Does not distinguish between the good and the bad

Wal Mart – multiple identity disorder

• Consumer loves the low prices.

• Shareholder loves the income.

• Citizen hates how the employees are treated.– No health care– Tax supported

• Neighbor hates the discrimination of women and minorities and locking people in at night.

Wal Mart’s success

• Lil’ Abner Country• Global supply chain• Sam Walton

– Used computers early on

– Wireless early on

• Tough company to deal with• Out innovating• Out sourcing

IBM

• Sold PC business to China

Political dilemma

• Indiana story• Who exploited who?

Trade barriers – yes or no

• Con – high tech jobs, research jobs going away

• Pro – competition has led to better living for us

• We will need people ready for the jobs.

Who do we owe?

• China

• Japan

• South Korea

Oil

• Tax

• Who gets it?

• $ a gallon

• We are funding both sides of the war on terrorism.

• Growth of democracy in the Middle East

• 11/9• Berlin• Collaboration• Imagination

• 9/11• New York• Collaboration• Imagination