Responding to a Changing World
Ordinary people are being given a chance to do extraordinary things

I read Thomas Friedman’s The World is Flat this past summer and am an unabashed cheerleader for its message that globalization is here to stay. Whether we are in New York City or in West Liberty, Kentucky, we cannot live in isolation. Nor should we wish to.

When Friedman argues for more math, science and medical graduates in this country to meet the challenge of India’s growing cadre of the same, I am not in disagreement. But I do have some reservations that Friedman’s solution is too limited in scope.

Let me begin by swearing that I did not take it personally when Friedman observed that “too many American kids want to be lawyers and not engineers.” I am a lawyer, my husband is a lawyer, my older son decided to go to law school and my younger son aspires likewise. So I can live with Friedman’s assessment of an over supply of lawyers. But are more scientists, engineers and even medical doctors the full answer? I’m not so sure.

Friedman’s premise is that the world has “flattened” over the last 50 years, meaning that the economic forces that allowed the American economy to remain in absolute control of the world stage have changed. It isn’t just the low-end jobs that will now be sent offshore. The brainpower that produces new and better products likewise is being off-shored and outsourced to the growing giants – particularly India – that had the smarts (or luck) to build a network of universities that cranked out a vast number of brilliant scientists, engineers and MDs. In short, they are going to kick our butts if we don’t get with the program.

On the other hand, in the last half of the book Friedman discusses the “unflattening” that can undermine his premise – and desire for – supporting globalization. He observes that the American education system is deficient, particularly in math and science, and thus might find itself lagging seriously behind in the global marketplace. I would advance a theory that while globalization is perhaps inevitable, we should also be open to another idea: Rather than focus only on high-tech and cutting edge professions, our effort to be a major player in the globalization game will have to be undertaken by more than just math and science wizards.

It will likely include the efforts of local people who might seem ordinary but are extraordinary leaders. It might even be a lawyer who develops the important regulatory oversight he suggests is necessary to create and foster economic entrepreneurial activity. While such oversight is necessary to encourage globalization, it must be balanced by the need to preserve ethics in our dealings with one another and remain aware of important cultural mores that can connect us to one another.

While I am a proponent of technological advancement and believe in its power to make our lives better, flickering images that pour into our TV sets with constant reminders of violence and upheaval have created a fear about what the world has to offer. This fear lies at the root of much of the isolationist notions that are emerging in our country today. In addition, technology, while a boon to our lives, always stands in danger of destroying the community life that lies at the root of our great cities.

Evidence is mounting that our cities are deeply troubled centers, as opposed to the time when they stood as testimony to our greatness. In fact, good government that is transparent and supported by a strong voting public was mentioned in the book as a strength of the American way. Unfortunately, too many of our strengths – such as informed voting – are going away.

What is needed is balance. Localization is about making a great place to live—where one can raise children, find comfort in the small things and just live life beyond the frenzy of traffic and consumption.

Our future in a global world contains many potential pitfalls. The environment will require our attention. Ethics in government and corporate life is a growing concern and the loneliness of the flickering computer screen will claim many who remain anchored to their keyboards. To thrive, we must encourage more participation and involvement by people at every level and in every line of work. We are, ultimately, all in this together.

Sylvia L. Lovely is executive director and CEO of the Kentucky League of Cities.
editorial@lanereport.com

Back to Perspective Index

Back to November Issue

Copyright 1996-2005, by Kentucky Business Online.  All rights reserved.

Editorial content is copyright 2005, Lane Communications Group
All editorial material is fully protected and must not be reproduced in any manner without prior permission.

The Lane Report is a trademark of Lane Communications Group.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.