The document discusses several topics related to globalization and a "flat world" including: America needing to produce knowledge workers to succeed; other countries racing to the top not the bottom; potential "races to the bottom" in areas like taxes and regulations; shortages of scientists and engineers in the US; the potential of green energy technology; criticisms of corporate capitalism; and examples of pro- and anti-corporate websites focused on large brands like McDonald's, Starbucks, and Nike.

1. March 28, 2012

2. What the Flat World Means for America
 “…America, as a whole, will do fine in a flat world with
free trade—provided it continues to churn out
knowledge workers who are able to produce idea-
based goods that can be sold globally…” (p. 230)
 “The Indians and Chinese are not racing us to the
bottom. They are racing us to the top – and that is a
good thing!” (p. 233)

3. Races to the Bottom
 Tendency of political units to reduce
regulations/taxes/standards in order to match
the reductions of others as a part of
competition for the location of value-added
activities in their territory.
 Seen as a negative consequence of
globalization.

4. Examples of Possible Races to the
Bottom
 Corporate taxes
 Environmental regulations
 Wages and other labor practices
 Internet-related:
 pornography
 gambling
 hate groups

5. The Quiet Crisis (ch. 7 of The World is Flat)
 Shortages of U.S. scientists and engineers
 “In China today, Bill Gates is Britney Spears. In
America today, Britney Spears is Britney Spears– and
that is our problem.” (p. 265)

6. Various Friedman Sound Bites
 Green is the New Red, White, and Blue (chap. 10)
 “green is the color du jour”
 “a green New Deal”
 “Give me a green America and I shall green the earth.”
 Add (clean) energy technology (ET) to information
technology (IT) -- the next global industry
 Dirty Fuels System vs. Clean Energy System
Tom Friedman video on “The Power of Green”

7. Elements of a Clean Energy System
 Innovating clean elections
 Intensifying energy efficiency
 Diffusing family planning across the planet
 Embracing an ethic of conservation
 Preparing to adapt to climate change
Friedman video on the Dirty Fuels System

8. Clean Electrons
 Solar photovoltaic
 Wind
 Solar thermal
 Geothermal

9. The Impact of China on Wind Power
 At the end of 2010, China generated 41.8 gigawatts of
power using wind generators
 15 companies producing wind turbines
 80 wind farms
 Use small wind turbines on lamp posts (along with
solar panels
 US firms are having trouble competing with low-cost
Chinese turbines; NIMBY problems; question of US
green jobs creation potential
Video on Obama’s wind power views

10. Criticisms of Corporate Capitalism
 Too much power
 Not enough public oversight
 Short-term profit orientation
 Insufficient loyalty to traditional local communities
 Willingness to engage in questionable practices:
 Industrial espionage, pretexting
 Advertising unhealthy products, espec. to children
 Corporate responsibility PR as cover for unethical
activities

11. Example: Naomi Klein
 Canadian journalist
 Books:
 No Logo (2000)
 Fences and Windows (2002)
 The Shock Doctrine (2007)

12. Review of Naomi Klein’s Point
about Brand-Name Politics
 Just as environmentalists often take advantage of
highly publicized issues about specific species – e.g.
whales, dolphins, turtles – so do anti-corporate
groups focus on familiar firms and products
 Thus, brands like McDonalds, Starbucks, Wal-Mart,
and Nike provide ready-made targets for anti-
corporate politics
 Klein makes a good point about the need not to
ignore less familiar species and brands

13. McDonald’s
 Corporate web site
 McSpotlight
 McDonald’s Simulation Game
 People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: PETA
 Prince Charles vs. McDonalds
 Extreme Drive Through

14. Pro- and Anti-Starbucks Sites
 Starbucks web site
 Ihatestarbucks.com
 Organic Consumers Association
 Starbucks Delocator
 Fair trade coffee
 Anti-starbucks ad on Revver.com

15. Nike and Anti-Nike Sites
 Nike web site
 Boycott Nike
 Clean Clothes Campaign
 Oxfam Australia’s Nike Watch