Introduction
The world is ever-changing, either for better or for worse, and there is no way that humanity can stop it. The world has always been known to be spherical, but the current society views it as being flat. A flat world is a term introduced by the American commentator and author Thomas Friedman, meaning that the world belongs to various products.
In particular, technological advancements, such as the Internet, have increased interdependence between various countries. The Internet has provided a common ground for everyone who wishes to use or provide products or services to any part of the world. A flat world economy brings many advantages to consumers and nations at large, such as poverty alleviation, global collaboration, and the spread of democracy. However, it also presents serious challenges for developed economies in terms of competition. This essay aims to discuss, in detail, the advantages and disadvantages of a flattening world by drawing insights from Friedman’s book and supporting literature.
Advantages
Economic Opportunities
A flat world economically empowers people from low-cost countries by providing opportunities previously unavailable. According to Friedman (2005), a flat world provides common ground for everyone. Therefore, citizens from underdeveloped countries can now participate in global commerce and improve their living standards. He states, “The playing field is being leveled… [and] individuals from Bangalore to Beijing… can now compete and collaborate with individuals in Seattle and Stockholm” (p. 10).
For instance, India’s residents have access to new economic prospects because of the country’s booming software sector and high-speed internet infrastructure. To Friedman, the ability for so many individuals to interact and work together has never before existed on Earth (p. 13). Due to this, people may now access global supply chains, engage in e-commerce, and deliver services to clients throughout the world. This has helped them generate income and improve their way of life.
Global collaboration and innovation
Apart from providing economic opportunities, a flat world is able to enhance worldwide cooperation and ingenuity. People can now work together more efficiently and develop creative solutions to world problems because everything is interrelated in a flat world (Friedman, 2005). In the digital age, Friedman points out the need for international cooperation, which technological advancements have made feasible. He says, “Collaboration is the way you get things done today” (Friedman, 2005, p. 219).
His statement clearly shows that communication and collaboration across various boundaries and different time zones are now crucial to fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. Friedman offers an example in the context of creating open-source software. The author demonstrates the digital collaboration among computer programmers and software engineers from diverse locations. They work collectively on software development without the necessity of physical gatherings. The author asserts that individuals can engage in project collaboration in a globally connected world regardless of their physical proximity, national boundaries, or even different time zones. Consequently, integrating societies worldwide has facilitated people to unite their skills, cooperate, and foster inventive resolutions.
Access to Information and Education
The effect of the Internet on the transformation of how information is shared and knowledge is acquired cannot be overstated. The development of the Internet has seen significant improvements in availing and accessing information people, thus promoting education. In his book, Friedman posits, “In a flat world, more people have more access to more knowledge and more cheap tools and innovations than ever before” (Friedman, 2005, p. 207).
How the world is interrelated has made it easy for people to access information. This has enabled people from different backgrounds and geographical locations to acquire knowledge without any hindrance. Moreover, the availability of online teaching platforms, together with readily available digital resources, has changed education.
As stated by Friedman (2005), the emergence of online universities and colleges has leveled education so that people from around the world can get affordable and quality education (p. 243). Online universities and digital education systems have been particularly beneficial to those people who live in remote areas. They can now effortlessly get educational materials and courses from the comfort of their own homes, promoting the acquisition of new skills.
Disadvantages
Rising Inequality
Various critics like Joseph Stiglitz argue that a flat world can foster income inequality despite the economic opportunities it can create. Similar to Joseph Stiglitz, Friedman acknowledges this concern in his work. He notes that a flat world’s advantages may unequally settle in the hands of a few individuals (Friedman, 2005).
According to Friedman, “Globalization has enabled more and more people to plug and play in the global marketplace, but not all individuals, companies, and countries have been able to plug and play with equal success” (p. 293). A flattening world would mean that only a few lucky individuals and nations would benefit. At the same time, the majority are left to wallow in poverty, hence increasing income disparities.
The effects of a flat world on economic inequality and its consequences on international labor standards have also become clearer. Guasti and Koenig-Archibugi (2022) assert that “A flat world has been managed to serve the interests of the most powerful, exacerbating inequality both within and between countries” (Guasti & Koenig-Archibugi, 2022, p. 2). This has led to a phenomenon referred to as a race to the bottom, where people compete for salaries and labor standards in underdeveloped countries. This competition can lead to a downward wage spiral for employees from these countries.
Job Displacement
In addition, a flat world can lead to increased competition from underdeveloped countries, thereby threatening jobs in already developed nations. The competition can cause job losses and, in severe cases, wage stagnation. Friedman (2005) argues that the availability of cheap labor from third-world countries can be a big challenge to those in developed nations. This is because companies from developed nations may prefer to outsource employees from underdeveloped nations to take advantage of the cheap labor.
This act could potentially cause job displacement and underemployment in these economies. According to Friedman, “The playing field is being leveled, and work is being both outsourced and offshored to people who can do it cheaper, and often better, than we can” (Friedman, 2005, p. 120). Moreover, Herrigel (2020) argues about the effects of information technology and communication developments, noting that it has made companies separate work and offshore labor-intensive duties to underdeveloped nations. If this trend continues, people in developed countries will experience job losses, especially in highly automated industries.
Conclusion
Thomas Friedman coined the term “flat world.” He views a flat world as a level playing field where everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in trade. Friedman, Joseph Stiglitz, and Baldwin provide a balanced perspective on the concept of a flat world by discussing its advantages and disadvantages. A flat world promotes economic opportunities, global cooperation and ingenuity, and access to information and education. However, a flat world has several disadvantages, including rising inequality and job displacement.
References
Friedman, T. L. (2005). The world is flat: A brief history of the twenty-first century. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Guasti, A., & Koenig-Archibugi, M. (2022). Has global trade competition really led to a race to the bottom in labor standards? International Studies Quarterly, 66(4), 2–10. Web.
Herrigel, G. (2020). Industrial possibilities and false necessity: Rethinking production, employment, and labor dynamics in the global economy. Socio-Economic Review, 18(2), 599–624. Web.