tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24863138.post115229029790594749..comments2023-09-28T08:29:02.891-07:00Comments on The Bookshelf: Who Benefits From a Flat World? Book Review: The World Is FlatKymhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09041098587689731311noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24863138.post-1152541884818343402006-07-10T07:31:00.000-07:002006-07-10T07:31:00.000-07:001. A "flat world" will affect the world's poor in ...1. A "flat world" will affect the world's poor in varying degrees. In countries that are currently poor but which show signs of stable and transparent government, such as parts of Eastern Europe and Central America, businesses will move there to cut costs. The influx of foreign capital will improve the national economies and benefit the poor in the same way that industrialization improved the standard of living in countries like South Korea and Taiwan. In countries which are unstable and corrupt, businesses will avoid investment for fear that their investments will be destroyed in revolutions or civil unrest, or be seized by the strongman of the month. These countries will remain as poor as ever.<BR/><BR/>2. The West has a long history of anti-intellectualism which ties in with its history of egalitarian beliefs and movements. In addition, many Western nations have traditionally been wealthy enough that even the poorly educated have been able to secure basic needs. In other nations, a high level of education has been absolutely necessary to provide for one's family, which gives people in those countries greater incentive to study hard.<BR/><BR/>3. Cultural distinctions will remain, but in somewhat watered-down fashion. Think Irish-American as compared to Irish. Reactionary cultural forces will provoke conflict. Indeed, they already have in the Middle East.<BR/><BR/>4. A "flat world" will be a mixed blessing. Industrialization will bring new pollutants, but will also bring the revenue to enforce environmental regulations. For instance, many African nations are just too poor to prevent poaching. An improved tax base (combined with a less corrupt government, of course) would allow improved funding. Furthermore, newly introduced technology can improve existing environmental conditions, such as building sewer systems, replacing slash-and-burn agriculture with newer methods, etc.<BR/><BR/>So basically I'm a corporate whore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com