What is globalization of the local? According to this chapter, it is another way of looking at globalization that contrasts the traditional view of Americanization. While Americanization is our culture taking over and slowly eroding the cultures of the world, globalization of the local is the people of the world taking advantage of globalization and the flat world platform to make thier cultures more accessible to all, including both foreigners and their own people in foreign lands. This enables those people who have left their homelands for various reasons to enjoy, to some degree, their native culture. This can serve only to strengthen those cultures. Freidman says it best: "[Globalization] is about the creation of a global platform for multiple forms of sharing work, knowledge, and entertainment."
The purpose of this chapter is not to say that globalization is without it's faults, and Friedman takes time to point this out. Americanization does exist, and globalization can be abused in ways that are questionable at best, but it's not all bad. It does have it's good side, and Friedman points out that "our job is not to trash this platform but to get the best out of it and to prevent the worst." Amen, brother.
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I think Americanization is a problem in our global world. While it is good for me in a way because I am American and have pride in my country, I sometimes wish the influence of other countries would be more prevelant in our "flat world." I think Americanization is a very real reality in the flat world. We should do more to encourage the fostering influence of other ideas from which everyone can benefit.
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