GLOBALIZATION ASSIGNMENT

Journal Questions:

1. What does Thomas Friedman mean by globalization and why does he argue that "the world is flat"? What are Friedman's main reasons for his argument that the new era of globalization is producing a "flat world"? Explain his argument and describe some of the specific reasons and examples he provides to support his position.

2. According to Pankaj Ghemawat, what does he mean by globalization and why does he argue that the world isn't as flat as Friedman claims? Explain Ghemawat's argument and describe some of the specific evidence and examples he gives to support his position. For example, what are some of the assumptions we make about globalization that are untrue? What do levels of internationalization (cross-border activities) tell us about how "globalized" the world actually is? Why is it important to be accurate when making claims about globalization?

3. In your opinion, is globalization making the world flat? Between Friedman and Ghemawat, whose argument do you find more compelling, and why? Briefly compare and contrast the two authors' positions on this critical debate about the extent of globalization, and clearly explain why you find one point of view more convincing than the other.