Globalization Monster
Globalization is not a trend or a fad. It is an international system which replaced the Cold War system and, like its predecessor has its own rules and logic that now influence the politics, economics and environment of virtually every country in the world. It is important to explain the meaning of The Lexus and the Olive Tree. The Lexus refers to technological advancement and growth, where the Olive Tree refers to traditional roots and culture. We see a clear message throughout the book that the ideal country should find the perfect balance between the Lexus and the Olive Tree. However, some countries have trouble finding that balance. Although I agree with Thomas Friedman's ideas throughout this great book, I find the chapter Demolition Man to have the most truth in it.I strongly agree with Thomas Friedman's belief that the most important filter to global capitalism is the ability to glocalize. Friedman defines healthy glocalization as, "the ability of a culture, when it encounters other strong cultures, to absorb influences that naturally fit into and can enrich that culture." It should resist those things that are truly alien and to compartmentalize those things that, while different, can neverthele
Another interesting point Friedman brings up is, "An unhealthy Glocalization is when you absorb something that isn't part of your culture, doesn't connect with anything latent in your culture, but you have so lost touch with your culture, you think it does. " As an American Jew of Moroccan descent, I would hate to have my olive trees uprooted. I was very touched by Israeli political theorist Yaron Ezrahi's observation, "You know there are two ways to make a person feel homeless - one is to destroy his home and the other is to make his home look and feel like everybody else's home. " An example which Friedman discusses on this regard is Israel. The Holy Land of Israel is different from other countries because it is a place with a strong culture dating back thousands of years and an environment that everyone recognizes, with every other mountain and rock mentioned in the Bible. Half of us are trying to build a better Lexus, while half of us are fighting over who owns which olive tree. With the same McDonalds, KFC's, and the same malls and department stores; even the entertainment industry with MTV and Disney and the same movies and music. Once there is a perfect balance between the Lexus and the Olive Tree, it will promote a more culturally diverse universe rather than letting it turn into a soulless standardized society. We should also apply this concept to ourselves. Your identity, who you are and where you come from, is missing. However, today the threat is most likely to come from the Lexus; the threat of globalization consuming our olive trees. But it is our job to create filters and protect our olive trees from being consumed by globalization in our countries and our lives. " We see proof of this in our everyday lives. As we Americans go to Disney World to see the source of our fantasies, so too the Malaysians go to KFC to experience part of the American fantasy.
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Acceptance Essays
