Globalization: The World is Shrinking
One hundred years ago radio, telephones and air transportation downsized the world. Then came the television with international coverage, jet planes and, recently, mobile phones and the Internet. Now you can go just about anywhere in the world and have your emails, pictures, music and videos appear within the push of a button.
Several years ago, we learned that Baywatch was one of the most popular TV programs in Borneo. Now Sesame Street is shown in 140 countries. Because of television, internet, and social media the “have-nots” in the world have learned what the “haves” have, and most of them are motivated to work hard to get it.
At the same time, the search for lower costs has led to outsourcing and specialization in production, providing jobs in places that never had such opportunities before. While many poor working conditions and environmental damage still exist in some developing countries, progress is being made and living conditions are improving.
Current research on foreign markets estimates that there will be 300 million middle class households in China alone in twenty years. Much of this progress depends on education, and this is a critical area that will separate countries in the years ahead. The Internet has proven to be an effective leveler in the field of knowledge, making information available in schools and homes in even the poorest and most remote places.