By Dr. Paul Pierpoint, Dean, Community Education

Friedman, foreign affairs columnist for the New York Times and three-time Pulitzer Prize winner, begins his work with a series of eye-popping stories that demonstrate just how much the world's playing field has “flattened” in less than a generation. Political, financial, educational and, most importantly, technological barriers that once allowed some national economies to flourish while others stagnated or even degenerated have been swept away. And the most disruptive sweeping has occurred only in the last 16 years. Friedman puts the start date at November 9, 1989 – the day the Berlin Wall fell.

Friedman says 11/9, even more than 9/11, changed the world for all of us.

Everyone knows that we are living in a global economy but Friedman shows that our world is being shaped by forces more powerful than free trade treaties. Companies, communities and individuals can fight all they want against these forces but they will not win. Instead, we all need to understand what is happening to our world and learn how to take advantage of, rather than resist, the changes.

One part of the answer is education and training. With new universities opening in China at the rate of one a week, and with the quality of the top universities in China and India rapidly approaching that of the best American universities, we are challenged not only to produce better skilled workers. We are being challenged to produce more and better educated engineers, scientists, and business leaders. Our lead in these fields is rapidly shrinking. Better get used to it.

[Here's an unsettling statistic: There are more people learning English in China today than there are people in America .]

But after considering the economic fallout of a flat world, Friedman takes a step back and explores the cultural consequences. If the first part of his book is startling, the rest is almost frightening. The backlash against a flat world – most vividly demonstrated on September 11, 2001 – could be the greatest threat not only to America 's security but to people in every corner of the world. The very forces that have flattened the world by allowing anyone to be part of the modern economy also make available to those who oppose modernity the tools to destroy it. That is a concept that will cause all but the most Pollyannish reader at least a little uneasiness.

If you are a leader who is concerned about the place of your company, your community and your country in the modern global economy, you need to read this book. You will not agree with every interpretation or recommendation Friedman makes, but you will see the world differently. I guarantee it.

Back to Home