The author attributes three factors to globalization viz. development of tools that allow globalization, possibility of collaboration through and by the web based tools and access to world wide web at large for enhancing the convergence. Convergence of technology for benefit of the public and business organizations alike has proved to be a boon in disguise. To support his argument he has quoted an example of an airline to offer an E ticket to the clients.
He has credited the computers in link with the cutting edge technology in the cut throat competitive world as the interface point for bridging the gap between potential customers and market players. Outlining the challenges that America has to face in this flat world the author suggests that right and corrective measures will help America pull through. Expressing his genuine concern towards better education policy, a new national health policy and a crash plan for alternative energy he fears that steps to improve the same may never take place.
A great deal of the book concentrates and revolves around describing the effects and impacts of convergence on America and its economy. There is also a mention of Al Qaida and other terrorist outfits posing enormous threat to the flat world. Their actions have the potential to destroy the flatness of the world. Terrorism is driven by humiliation more so by the societies that have suffered from it to which the terrorists belong. Reasoning the failure of the Arab world in terms of economy, science and technology he states it to be a direct cause of their indulgence into terrorism. Describing the misuse of Internet for the vested interests of the society he says that the technological advancements could have dire consequences in the future.
Towards the end Friedman has presented his views to fight terrorism. According to him those parts of the world which are not flat need to become flatter in order to defuse anger who seeks to harm the others. Ending on a pessimistic note he drops his daughter off to begin college, he relates that he fears that the world that his daughter will be inheriting is a much less certain world then the world he became an adult in.
According to my insights that I have developed after reading the book, I will surely label it as a magazine article overwritten. Also the subtitle is not in tune with the theme of the book; nevertheless the book does make for an interesting reading for anyone who is interested to understand the phenomenon of globalization in intricate details. The book and its writer have very well connected the different stories to prove his point of view to the reader. The stories are extremely interesting and live with for long, the future of the flat world and the polices that a country like America should adopt so as to compete in the future with huge economic power giants like India, China and the East is very well explained in a point form that opens your eyes, to the fact that every nation has to flatten itself to suite the changing nature of the future economic trends. Also the reason for the success of globalization and the tools mentioned are logical to any sane person reading it, the pit falls and the negative approach at the end were he explains his concern as his daughter is entering the college life diverts the way you think through the course of the book.