Critical Essay on Thomas L. Friedman's It's A Flat World, After All

Introduction

In Thomas L. Friedman's, "it's a Flat World, After All," while visiting a company in Bangalore, India, Friedman looks like a wall screen connecting Infosys Technologies Limited's global supply chain. At any time, individuals from and within the company regardless of their location they could meet through a video conference call. Through the occurrences in writing, Friedman realizes that the world is flat which in his own words, he derives that the global competitive playing field was level (Friedman, 2005). In the details of this writing, I will consider the details and thoughts around the paper, "it's a flat world, After All" and provides my reaction concerning the writing.

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In the article by Thomas L. Friedman, I found it very interesting and informative. Throughout the beginning of the article, Friedman (2005) maintains a critical focus on the actual details of the paper. For instance, Friedman acknowledges the history of globalization by identifying three historical periods. Within the first globalization period, it lasts from 1492 to 1800 which was believed to shrink the world from large to medium as a result of countries globalizing for imperial conquest and resources. In the second globalization period, it ranges from 1800 to 2000 whereby it is considered that the world from the medium to the small world due to the globalization of companies for labor and markets. In the third globalization period lasting from 2000 to present, according to Friedman, it shrinks and flattens the world although it differs from the previous periods.

Moreover, as Friedman delivers his arguments, I could derive that he is well informed about what he is talking about and is carefully evaluating every action he undertakes. It is challenging to deliver details about such a topic; however, Friedman beat all odds as he goes on to discuss the different forces that are flattening the world. In his arguments, he notes that when the Berlin border fell, the world became flatter. Through the use of the appropriate example, it is easy to understand information argued by Friedman. Within the arguments, it is crystal clear that he intends to set a reference for his discussions whereby Friedman terms the falling of the Berlin wall as the "first among equals" as it has been facilitated by the use of information technology (such as fax machines). Also, Friedman points to the authority and power of the community arising in the 21st century evident from people creating open-source software's while other corporates are trying to sell the same. It elaborates the concepts of outsourcing and offshoring which are flatteners (Friedman, 2005).

Majorly, within every section of the article, Friedman provides a reference and examples which also depicts his effectiveness in defining his topic. As one reads through the article, it helps instill the understanding about the how people need to work together in manipulating and shaping the world. As a result of the flatteners, countries like Russia, India, China, Latin America, and Eastern Europe are participating in the flat and flattening world. It comprises shaping politics and global economics. Although Friedman manages to derive proper references to his arguments, he provides three gaps creating a crisis for Americans but does not deliver the appropriate measures. According to Friedman, the first gap creating a crisis for Americans is the "Ambition gap" as he compares them to Chinese and Indian counterparts. In the second gap, it comprises a serious numbers gap building while the third gap involves the "education gap."

Conclusion

In conclusion, "It's a Flat World, After All" is satisfactory writing as it stirs the mind. During the study of the article, I began contemplating what Friedman was talking about and whether it had some truth in it which I believe it did. Majorly, I agree with him on the three gaps creating a crisis for Americans. The paper allowed me to reflect upon the details of the topic critically and it is writing I would recommend to anyone.

Works Cited

Friedman, Thomas. "It's A Flat World, After All". Nytimes.Com, 2005, https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/03/magazine/its-a-flat-world-after-all.html