The Elephant and the Dragon: A Book Review
In Robyn Meredith's own words, "This is the story of how India and China are changing their destinies and, with that, changing the world's” (page 11). A quick read, Meredith gives us perspective into the struggles both China and India have endured to have the present economic opportunities, and what it means to Americans. China and India had and have very different leaders, as polar opposite as Gandhi and Mao, yet their rise to global stardom is similar.
Meredith describes the shift of China and India into power frequently as a tectonic shift; one which the ramifications are not completely understood or predictable. She presents a strategy for “the rest of us” to survive this post-Cold War reshuffling, but her delivery came a little late and vague for my taste.
Robyn Meredith has written a nine chapter, concise clue into the global reshuffling of business power we're seeing, feeling and contributing to. In her first few chapters, she explains why China and India are now available and structured to do global business. In China, from the rule of Mao with years of starvation and the impact that went along with it, to its current day growing class stratification and separation. In India, she explains the choice to embrace free trade and to follow China's footsteps out of poverty.
Some say there must be a storm before there can be calm, or that if times get bad, there is opportunity in that crisis for times to then get good. I try to look at George W. Bush’s time in office the same way; if he had not created such a political and economic mess, we may not have had the momentum to elect president Barack Obama, our first multi-racial president with the middle name Hussein. For China, their storm was provoked by steel-driven Mao Zedong, and their calm (a stretch, yet still using the metaphor) is their present day success.
In 1949, Mao announced the formation of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the rest of the world. Mao died after 27 years of rule. During his time in power, much of the country starved to death and there was no economic force behind the PRC. Meredith describes how the once sleeping and starving country has picked itself up and latched onto the global need for cheap manufacturing. This major change is still just a decade deep.
In 1991, after the assassination of Gandhi, India began taking steps towards political and economic reform. The country was declared in a state of financial crisis, and veered away from its self-imposed economic exile. India passed laws granting job guarantees to workers, making it hard for business to hire and impossible to fire workers, adding a unique and troubling dynamic to its business practices. They also received permission to import and export duty free and could then buy imports cheaper. Also, the government took away duties on software, leading to a revolution in the Indian computer industry. India eventually turned towards China’s success for inspiration, though India’s rise to power has not been as smooth as China’s. Meredith states “Indians joke that India is like a drunk walking home: it takes one step forward, then two steps sideways, but eventually makes it home” (page 54). Nonetheless, change is apparent in India… it used to take a decade for a phone installation… parents would put their children on waiting lists so they could have one when they married! Now, their wireless network is stronger than the that of the United States, with 80 million cell phones purchased per month.
China has wooed foreign companies to build factories on its soil and has set up such an export friendly infrastructure, businesses often times cannot afford not to do business there. Companies like Wal-Mart have made massive deals with companies manufacturing in China to get the lowest price. Their mission is to bring the consumers the lowest price possible, yet the manufacturing company is the one who absorbs the price cut, and American owned Wal-Mart keeps most the profit. With a flooding of manufacturing companies in China, the way we make, ship and receive products has been revolutionized. Relating to the U.S., Americans are more expensive to pay; with more expensive costs of living, and companies are not willing to pay more to keep earnings localized; we are in a landslide of job loss. Some of the Chinese population is getting rich quick, while Americans are losing their jobs, their pensions, their retirement money… but a few Americans are getting rich, really rich.
Interesting to me was how India first stepped up to bat in the global business game. Americans were scared of Y2K and needed a ton of help changing computer programs from 2 to 4 digit year codes. American companies enlisted the help of Indians to make this switch and were delighted by the cheaper rates and well educated professional service, so they started to transform their business plans to include India. This concept was not new, Mexico has been the source of cheap labor for decades, but we were now considering cheap but educated technological labor. After the initial taste of cheap and well educated labor, the flood gates opened.
Meredith’s chapter named “The Disassembly Line” I enjoyed, but it was frustrating to read. She talks about how many countries one product visits throughout its production. The concept is captured with the last sentence in the chapter, "these days, most clothing is far better traveled than its wearer." The sad part to me is the amount of resources, especially fuel we are wasting globally by this concept of the disassembly line.
India’s culture is in the process of revolution; women are choosing for themselves whom they’d like to marry. China is saving more money than we are; they are creating pensions and retirements as ours are vanishing. Americans spend more than we earn.
What Meredith’s book helped reiterate is that we are running out of resources! This global structure is depleting the earth, using much more energy than needed to make big businesses rich. We know that all nations benefit from free trade, but the balance is shifting so quickly and with so much intensity, the U.S. is on the threat of repeating the great depression.
The Relevance of The Elephant and The Dragon:
This book was one of the two to choose from but not the one recommended to read... I understand why. From working on the pre-Chindia assignments, I had already learned a lot of the information presented in this book. Yes, China and India are rising super powers, Zakaria already showed us this, as well as case studies on Wal-Mart, Infosys, etc. Meridith’s chapter on “geopolitics mixed with oil and water” is relevant to the planet in terms of resource depletion and the environmental and economic consequences. The resources necessary for these rising countries will strain the environment. Resource depletion will also create economic burdens on those who have been encouraged to live a more western lifestyle. There simply will not be enough to go around and support these new global economies.
What Robyn Meredith Did Well:
I liked reading about why China and India are rising to the top from a historical point of view. Their past was necessary to spur their momentum and begin the sprint to the top. Although I did not find Meredith to be the most creative writer, she is consistent and her verbiage flows very well. The chapters were cleverly titled, and true to her journalistic style, she had some great quotes. I liked how Meredith pointed out the source of education of most of the Chinese and Indian business leaders mentioned was the U.S.
What Robyn Meredith Could Have Done Better:
In the grand scheme of things, America has been a leader for a minority of time... I would have liked to see that put into perspective a little better. Also, Meredith does not go into much detail about how this global shift relates to all of us, until the very last chapter. As an American, I would have liked to see how things relate to the country I'm living in, and I assume the country she was addressing in her book. The book is subtitled: The Rise of India and China and What it Means to All of Us. United States aside, she didn't really address any other countries. I would assume that other people around the globe are interested in this shift in power, and think to themselves that they are included in the all of us too!
Her suggestions posed in the last chapter were:
1. Strengthen the educational system
2. Strengthen the economical foundation
3. Foster innovation in technological fields
4. Focus on creating jobs, even as it increases support to those losing jobs
5. Strengthen our infrastructure
She first claims 1, 2, 3 are the answer, then recaps with 5, 1 and 2 are the answer, and then adds in #3 again. Meredith goes on to say that its time to recognize American standards of living are too high. I’m sorry Meredith, but I would like a bulleted priority list and some specific how-to instructions. The answer to how to stop as Morgan Stanley’s Mr. Roach put it, “the inevitable global labor arbitrage” (page210) is not simply by finding jobs you cannot deliver over a wire. To me, this is the meat of the meal; this is the subtitle of the book, this is the purpose for writing the book. I would like a little more of a plan… more than 26 pages at least. Her writing in this chapter especially was repetitive. I’m not certain what exactly she was trying to get across.
In Closing:
Both China and India have spent upwards of hundreds of billions of dollars on improving their infrastructures. They are looking to physically and monetarily strengthen their countries. They have also both also invested in higher education. These two countries are racing forward after being so behind, but the U.S. is watching it happen passively, with a select few making major profits, and many more losing their jobs. In addition, the impact on the environment has the potential to be devastating.
Meredith quotes both Indian and Chinese businessmen saying that Americans have nothing to fear, and that we should count on the resilience of the U.S. economy. I wonder if, two years later, they would have the same comments?
Although Meredith's style was easy to read and quite captivating, this book is somewhat elementary. There were a few new concepts I appreciated the exposure to, and the historical briefing was good, but this is a clear jumping off point. Perhaps a Fall quarter book review or a preliminary requirement to entering the MBA program. I will recommend this book to others, but probably those without much experience or current interest in global politics. Maybe times are moving so quickly, this book was cutting edge when it first came to market a few years ago, this is quite a possibility... nevertheless, a good read.
Meredith, Robyn. The Elephant and The Dragon. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2007.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Aren’t we forgetting something?
We’re traveling to China and India to study business, it’s wonderful… but India is calling my name for another reason. It’s the home of yoga, where the ancient roots began. So I thought I’d give a glimpse into what yoga is and why it’s so important. I’m going to focus on the Eastern version of yoga as opposed to the Westernized (commercial gym) form of yoga.
What is yoga? Yoga is bliss. It’s union with God or the Divine Self. Yoga is self-exploration and spiritual enlightenment. It goes beyond our five senses. It is amazing. An Indian philosopher, Patanjali, wrote it’s manual thousands of years ago, although he did not invent the practice.
Hinduism is the India-based religion yoga helps to teach. It includes: Vegetarianism, the Law of Karma, Reincarnation and freedom from all suffering. It incorporates all religions, it’s universal, it values what works for you. Sanskrit is the spoken and written language of Hinduism and yoga; most of the ancient texts are in Sanskrit.
“Yoga is your true nature: union with the divine self. Yoga practices such as asana (postures) enable us to feel there is something animating our physical form. Yoga practice of meditation enable us to watch our minds think, to realize that we must be more than the mind, if we can sit back and watch it generate thoughts.” (Jivamukti Yoga, 2002)
If that makes no sense, it takes time. To me, yoga is my faith, and it’s my connection to the spirit world and to my self. Each time I step onto my mat, I learn more about myself, my strengths, my weaknesses, my internal layers of emotion, fear, guilt. I learn about the stress stored in the cells of my body. I grow stronger, more alive, more aware. It’s my therapy, my freedom from suffering. And this amazing life-changing practice originated in India… where we’re headed! Are we grasping the importance yet?
Three of the oldest and foundational books for yoga are Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad-Gita, and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, written over 5,000 years ago.
The 5 obstacles yoga helps you to overcome or Kleshas are:
1. Avidya: ignorance
2. Asmita: egoism
3. Raga: excessive attachment to pleasurable things
4. Dvesa: excessive aversion, hatred
5. Abhinivesha: fear of death
We rid ourselves of the Kleshas by practicing Patanjali’s 8 limbs:
1. Yama: restraint
2. Niyama: observance
3. Asana: postures
4. Pranayama: breath work or control of the life force
5. Pratyahara: withdrawl of the senses
6. Dharana: concentration
7. Dhyana: meditation
8. Samadhi: bliss, union with the divine
Seem simple enough? In Patanjali’s second sutra, he defines yoga (translated), “yoga is realized when identification with the fluctuations of the mind ceases.” Make sense? When our minds relax and find peace… when we give up resisting life.
The body is also comprised of 5 koshas or bodies, experienced with the practice of yoga. They are, starting from the outside and moving in:
1. Annamaya kosha: the physical body
2. Pranamaya kosha: the vital body or breath body
3. Manomaya kosha: emotional body
4. Vijnanamaya kosha: intellectual body
5. Anandamaya kosha: the bliss body
What happens in yoga class?
• You show up, no shoes, with a mat
• Your teacher leads you through meditation before practicing
• You move through asanas (postures) using pranayama (breath work)
• Usually standing postures first, then inversions and backbends, followed by floor practice. There are many forms of yoga so each class varies
• End class in savasana or corpse pose
• In corpse pose, the final meditation (10-25 minutes) you feel your body alive, you feel the koshas or layers to your being… you feel alive… you feel high, at peace, at ease.
For the scientists in the group, look at Dr. Len Kravitz’s (no not the singer, the award winning professor and researcher) article on the science of breathing. This will give you scientific research behind pranayama.
Yoga is a way to experience higher states of consciousness. Excited yet? Maybe we can visit an ashram on our trip as a cultural experience?
I’ve studied the human body and spirit for over a decade. I’ve helped people heal in a number of ways: physical therapy, structural integration, emotional healing, nutrition, dance… and the most effective modality of healing I’ve found? You guessed it. Yoga.
What is yoga? Yoga is bliss. It’s union with God or the Divine Self. Yoga is self-exploration and spiritual enlightenment. It goes beyond our five senses. It is amazing. An Indian philosopher, Patanjali, wrote it’s manual thousands of years ago, although he did not invent the practice.
Hinduism is the India-based religion yoga helps to teach. It includes: Vegetarianism, the Law of Karma, Reincarnation and freedom from all suffering. It incorporates all religions, it’s universal, it values what works for you. Sanskrit is the spoken and written language of Hinduism and yoga; most of the ancient texts are in Sanskrit.
“Yoga is your true nature: union with the divine self. Yoga practices such as asana (postures) enable us to feel there is something animating our physical form. Yoga practice of meditation enable us to watch our minds think, to realize that we must be more than the mind, if we can sit back and watch it generate thoughts.” (Jivamukti Yoga, 2002)
If that makes no sense, it takes time. To me, yoga is my faith, and it’s my connection to the spirit world and to my self. Each time I step onto my mat, I learn more about myself, my strengths, my weaknesses, my internal layers of emotion, fear, guilt. I learn about the stress stored in the cells of my body. I grow stronger, more alive, more aware. It’s my therapy, my freedom from suffering. And this amazing life-changing practice originated in India… where we’re headed! Are we grasping the importance yet?
Three of the oldest and foundational books for yoga are Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the Bhagavad-Gita, and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, written over 5,000 years ago.
The 5 obstacles yoga helps you to overcome or Kleshas are:
1. Avidya: ignorance
2. Asmita: egoism
3. Raga: excessive attachment to pleasurable things
4. Dvesa: excessive aversion, hatred
5. Abhinivesha: fear of death
We rid ourselves of the Kleshas by practicing Patanjali’s 8 limbs:
1. Yama: restraint
2. Niyama: observance
3. Asana: postures
4. Pranayama: breath work or control of the life force
5. Pratyahara: withdrawl of the senses
6. Dharana: concentration
7. Dhyana: meditation
8. Samadhi: bliss, union with the divine
Seem simple enough? In Patanjali’s second sutra, he defines yoga (translated), “yoga is realized when identification with the fluctuations of the mind ceases.” Make sense? When our minds relax and find peace… when we give up resisting life.
The body is also comprised of 5 koshas or bodies, experienced with the practice of yoga. They are, starting from the outside and moving in:
1. Annamaya kosha: the physical body
2. Pranamaya kosha: the vital body or breath body
3. Manomaya kosha: emotional body
4. Vijnanamaya kosha: intellectual body
5. Anandamaya kosha: the bliss body
What happens in yoga class?
• You show up, no shoes, with a mat
• Your teacher leads you through meditation before practicing
• You move through asanas (postures) using pranayama (breath work)
• Usually standing postures first, then inversions and backbends, followed by floor practice. There are many forms of yoga so each class varies
• End class in savasana or corpse pose
• In corpse pose, the final meditation (10-25 minutes) you feel your body alive, you feel the koshas or layers to your being… you feel alive… you feel high, at peace, at ease.
For the scientists in the group, look at Dr. Len Kravitz’s (no not the singer, the award winning professor and researcher) article on the science of breathing. This will give you scientific research behind pranayama.
Yoga is a way to experience higher states of consciousness. Excited yet? Maybe we can visit an ashram on our trip as a cultural experience?
I’ve studied the human body and spirit for over a decade. I’ve helped people heal in a number of ways: physical therapy, structural integration, emotional healing, nutrition, dance… and the most effective modality of healing I’ve found? You guessed it. Yoga.
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Book Review: The Post American World by Fareed Zakaria
Coming from a background of Kinesiology and Nutrition, I had not studied much politics before entering this graduate program. I was never interested in history until I read Jared Diamond’s book Guns, Germs and Steel in an anthropology class a few years ago. It was such a unique and logical perspective, and gave me the foundation to understand why global power distributed itself in the pattern it did. That foundation helped me to understand some of what Zakaria referred to, but to someone with a little global history, the book was fairly dense. Regardless of experience studying history, the book seemed appropriate for everyone.
Overview:
Fareed Zakaria, Editor of Newsweek International since 2000, author, editor, teacher and regular on CNN, has amazing experience and credentials. I’m tempted to believe every word he says. He was born in Mumbai, India and attended Yale and Harvard studying Government. In his latest book, The Post American World, he is pointing out the global shift in power that has already taken place. He talks about why the shift in power is taking place and offers advice to America as to how to handle it. He repeatedly states that this is not a fall in U.S. power, but rather the “rise of the rest.” China and India are becoming superpowers, whether they are ready or not.
The Relevance of The Post American World:
This book was written for anyone listening or willing to listen. By that I mean our country is struggling and people are looking for a reason why. This book helps to answer the why and what to do now. It is applicable for every person in every country. Those interested in international dynamics, politics or economics (MBA students) will find extra pleasure in reading this book. A transformational leader says what you have at the tip of your tongue but cannot yet verbalize. I see Fareed Zakaria as this leader… he gives people the knowledge they seek and helps to make sense of this unique reality. Since awareness of global warming has recently increased, a peaked interest in understanding global dynamics may be soon to come. My hope is that The Post American World and others like it will be new threads for unity on planet earth. The more we can understand about the world and why these global dynamics exist, the better we can help our planet as a whole. Americans may feel a little ego shock at first when reading this book, but I hope it can help build the foundation to a globe equally understanding of each of its inhabitants.
Since global business is growing, it is becoming more important to have an understanding of other countries. This book helps to achieve that goal; it helps each reader to be more informed about the world we live in.
What Zakaria Did Well:
Fareed Zakaria had much strength within the pages of The Post American World. I have identified three strengths that I feel have added immensely to the quality of his book. First, Zakaria is thorough and provides great insight after giving readers a clear and in depth understanding of the material. He takes time to lay out enough history so a reader from any background can understand the concept being delivered. Zakaria understands that every person has different knowledge. I consider myself as a political and economical novice. His explanations were extensive enough so that I could understand the concepts he presented, but written in a way such that individuals with the extensive background knowledge would still read what he had to say.
Secondly, he takes time to address the opinions of readers, or what he assumes they may be. Each reader has a different worldview, and an easy way for an author to lose credibility is to insult his readers or fail to recognize pre-conceived opinions or individual worldviews. He makes sure that if he has something negative or shocking to reveal, he does so in a non-offensive and sensitive way. He substantiates his opinions and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Particularly in this book—a book involving many countries, it is important to consider who your readers are. When writing The Post American World, Fareed Zakaria made an effort to understand his audience.
Lastly, this book was eloquently written. He can be viewed as a bearer of bad news. Because his delivery was so smooth, it’s an easier pill to swallow pill. I have read many excellent books written terribly… I have also read many terrible books written well. The presentation is everything, and Zakaria writes beautifully. Immediately I could tell he was passionate and meticulous about the material presented in this book.
What Zakaria Could Have Done Better:
At the end of The Post American World, Zakaria paints a picture of hope for the American people. America is a resilient country—let’s hope. This book came to market in early 2008, as our presidential campaigns were rolling strong. He could not foresee the outcome, and nominees probably were not chosen at the time he wrote this book, but the missing link in this book seems to be considering the lead change of America.
The last eight years have been plagued by President George Bush, whose cabinet is responsible for much of the struggle the U.S. currently faces internally and internationally. Before the Bush years, Clinton’s foreign interactions were criticized as well. “…But all these complaints were polite chatter compared with the hostility aroused by George W. Bush” (page 222). Point being—as we know, the President greatly influences global affairs. Barack Obama is starting his presidency during a recession; America is struggling, but the missing link for me is the validity of some of Zakaria’s points considering the change in presidency. Obama has proposed drastic changes in two trade agreements, both of which Zakaria references in this book—the WTO and NAFTA. Also considering that Obama was seen reading The Post American World during his campaign, will he follow Fareed Zakaria’s advice? Zakaria endorsed Obama in his Newsweek article The Case for Barack Obama—Obama is pushing to change the parameters of the country's comfort zone. That's leadership.
My criticism of Fareed Zakaria is minimal… he could not have met the expectations I laid out in the previous paragraph—the events had not yet happened.
In Closing:
America has hit a wall. “America remains the global superpower today, but it is an enfeebled one. Its economy has trouble, its currency is sliding, and it faces long-term problems with its soaring entitlements and low savings. Anti-American sentiment is at an all-time high everywhere from Great Britain to Malaysia” (page 217). Fareed Zakaria has helped me to understand why.
I learned a great lesson about the ego of the United States. Having lived in California my entire life, I lacked outside perspective, especially in the context of history. We are taught from American made books with American made information. “In many countries outside the Western world, there is pent up frustration with having had to accept an entirely Western or American narrative of world history—one in which they are either miscast or remain bit players.” Zakaria goes on to explain that in World War II, the common story known to Westerners is “…Britain and the U.S. heroically defeat the forces of fascist Germany and Japan” (page 34). Come to find out, Russia was responsible for the battle that killed 70% of the Germans. We push our language and culture onto other countries but do not learn theirs. We point fingers and blame everyone but ourselves. China and India are used to support U.S. companies, why are we surprised they have become rising superpowers?
This book helped me to take what has been happening globally and simplify it. China is producing goods, India is producing services, and the U.S. is using both, as our own economy fails. We are stimulating the economies of other countries, we have helped the “rise of the rest” to happen… we have given the formula away. There will be a shift… with the focus and intention of Barack Obama, who has read this book, there will be a shift.
I loved this book. Fareed Zakaria provides background information, explains current and past happenings in an understandable and non-offensive way, then gives us a plan and hope. I will read anything Zakaria writes and listen to what he says, not with a blind eye, but knowing that I have established trust what he has to say.
Zakaria, Fareed. The Post-American World. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008.
Overview:
Fareed Zakaria, Editor of Newsweek International since 2000, author, editor, teacher and regular on CNN, has amazing experience and credentials. I’m tempted to believe every word he says. He was born in Mumbai, India and attended Yale and Harvard studying Government. In his latest book, The Post American World, he is pointing out the global shift in power that has already taken place. He talks about why the shift in power is taking place and offers advice to America as to how to handle it. He repeatedly states that this is not a fall in U.S. power, but rather the “rise of the rest.” China and India are becoming superpowers, whether they are ready or not.
The Relevance of The Post American World:
This book was written for anyone listening or willing to listen. By that I mean our country is struggling and people are looking for a reason why. This book helps to answer the why and what to do now. It is applicable for every person in every country. Those interested in international dynamics, politics or economics (MBA students) will find extra pleasure in reading this book. A transformational leader says what you have at the tip of your tongue but cannot yet verbalize. I see Fareed Zakaria as this leader… he gives people the knowledge they seek and helps to make sense of this unique reality. Since awareness of global warming has recently increased, a peaked interest in understanding global dynamics may be soon to come. My hope is that The Post American World and others like it will be new threads for unity on planet earth. The more we can understand about the world and why these global dynamics exist, the better we can help our planet as a whole. Americans may feel a little ego shock at first when reading this book, but I hope it can help build the foundation to a globe equally understanding of each of its inhabitants.
Since global business is growing, it is becoming more important to have an understanding of other countries. This book helps to achieve that goal; it helps each reader to be more informed about the world we live in.
What Zakaria Did Well:
Fareed Zakaria had much strength within the pages of The Post American World. I have identified three strengths that I feel have added immensely to the quality of his book. First, Zakaria is thorough and provides great insight after giving readers a clear and in depth understanding of the material. He takes time to lay out enough history so a reader from any background can understand the concept being delivered. Zakaria understands that every person has different knowledge. I consider myself as a political and economical novice. His explanations were extensive enough so that I could understand the concepts he presented, but written in a way such that individuals with the extensive background knowledge would still read what he had to say.
Secondly, he takes time to address the opinions of readers, or what he assumes they may be. Each reader has a different worldview, and an easy way for an author to lose credibility is to insult his readers or fail to recognize pre-conceived opinions or individual worldviews. He makes sure that if he has something negative or shocking to reveal, he does so in a non-offensive and sensitive way. He substantiates his opinions and allows readers to draw their own conclusions. Particularly in this book—a book involving many countries, it is important to consider who your readers are. When writing The Post American World, Fareed Zakaria made an effort to understand his audience.
Lastly, this book was eloquently written. He can be viewed as a bearer of bad news. Because his delivery was so smooth, it’s an easier pill to swallow pill. I have read many excellent books written terribly… I have also read many terrible books written well. The presentation is everything, and Zakaria writes beautifully. Immediately I could tell he was passionate and meticulous about the material presented in this book.
What Zakaria Could Have Done Better:
At the end of The Post American World, Zakaria paints a picture of hope for the American people. America is a resilient country—let’s hope. This book came to market in early 2008, as our presidential campaigns were rolling strong. He could not foresee the outcome, and nominees probably were not chosen at the time he wrote this book, but the missing link in this book seems to be considering the lead change of America.
The last eight years have been plagued by President George Bush, whose cabinet is responsible for much of the struggle the U.S. currently faces internally and internationally. Before the Bush years, Clinton’s foreign interactions were criticized as well. “…But all these complaints were polite chatter compared with the hostility aroused by George W. Bush” (page 222). Point being—as we know, the President greatly influences global affairs. Barack Obama is starting his presidency during a recession; America is struggling, but the missing link for me is the validity of some of Zakaria’s points considering the change in presidency. Obama has proposed drastic changes in two trade agreements, both of which Zakaria references in this book—the WTO and NAFTA. Also considering that Obama was seen reading The Post American World during his campaign, will he follow Fareed Zakaria’s advice? Zakaria endorsed Obama in his Newsweek article The Case for Barack Obama—Obama is pushing to change the parameters of the country's comfort zone. That's leadership.
My criticism of Fareed Zakaria is minimal… he could not have met the expectations I laid out in the previous paragraph—the events had not yet happened.
In Closing:
America has hit a wall. “America remains the global superpower today, but it is an enfeebled one. Its economy has trouble, its currency is sliding, and it faces long-term problems with its soaring entitlements and low savings. Anti-American sentiment is at an all-time high everywhere from Great Britain to Malaysia” (page 217). Fareed Zakaria has helped me to understand why.
I learned a great lesson about the ego of the United States. Having lived in California my entire life, I lacked outside perspective, especially in the context of history. We are taught from American made books with American made information. “In many countries outside the Western world, there is pent up frustration with having had to accept an entirely Western or American narrative of world history—one in which they are either miscast or remain bit players.” Zakaria goes on to explain that in World War II, the common story known to Westerners is “…Britain and the U.S. heroically defeat the forces of fascist Germany and Japan” (page 34). Come to find out, Russia was responsible for the battle that killed 70% of the Germans. We push our language and culture onto other countries but do not learn theirs. We point fingers and blame everyone but ourselves. China and India are used to support U.S. companies, why are we surprised they have become rising superpowers?
This book helped me to take what has been happening globally and simplify it. China is producing goods, India is producing services, and the U.S. is using both, as our own economy fails. We are stimulating the economies of other countries, we have helped the “rise of the rest” to happen… we have given the formula away. There will be a shift… with the focus and intention of Barack Obama, who has read this book, there will be a shift.
I loved this book. Fareed Zakaria provides background information, explains current and past happenings in an understandable and non-offensive way, then gives us a plan and hope. I will read anything Zakaria writes and listen to what he says, not with a blind eye, but knowing that I have established trust what he has to say.
Zakaria, Fareed. The Post-American World. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2008.
Chindia Blog Comment
Response to: Defending India
More Terrorism or More Technology?
Like most of us, I too talked a lot about the bombings in Mumbai over the Thanksgiving holiday. The conversation was reversed however at my dinner table. My very liberal mother (hosting a vegan Thanksgiving mind you) had no doubt Mumbai remains a safe place to travel. I on the other hand had my hesitations and searched for logical justification for its safety. I needed facts to grasp onto as to why I wasn’t walking into a death trap.
For some strange reason, I fear natural disasters. I’m not sure if bombings qualify, but I think the common ground is uncontrollable and unpredictable situations. If fear and doubt are the opposite of love and trust, to reverse my fears, I’d need to trust India and the journey we will embark upon.
I checked the Wall Street Journal and New York Times updates from my iphone throughout the day—an amazing technology. That action sparked my thought process… and I remembered a piece of Zakaria’s The Post American World I had read:
“One reason for the mismatch between reality and our sense of it might be that, over these same decades, we have experienced a revolution in information technology that now brings us news from around the world instantly, vividly and continuously…
…It feels like a very dangerous world. But it isn’t. Your chances of dying as a consequence of organized violence of any kind are low and getting lower.”
Relative to other periods of time on planet earth, the times we live in are relatively calm; we are now simply better informed. Now I know Fareed Zakaria wrote this book before the bombings in Mumbai, but I would bet that fact remains true.
Countries (yes, even our own) seem to have a way of shielding or screening information from their citizens, like China’s Great Firewall. The media sways the opinions of people, consciously or not. We now have endless ways to acquire information… newspapers, TV, radio, cell phones, or what our Chindia speaker Lonnie Hodge made many references to: Twitter. Twitter has been known to carry news faster than news networks! People around the globe are linked and communicating. This in turn gives the media less power. Does it also ensure honesty?
So my question remains: is the world really an unsafe place, or have technological advances just made us more aware?
More Terrorism or More Technology?
Like most of us, I too talked a lot about the bombings in Mumbai over the Thanksgiving holiday. The conversation was reversed however at my dinner table. My very liberal mother (hosting a vegan Thanksgiving mind you) had no doubt Mumbai remains a safe place to travel. I on the other hand had my hesitations and searched for logical justification for its safety. I needed facts to grasp onto as to why I wasn’t walking into a death trap.
For some strange reason, I fear natural disasters. I’m not sure if bombings qualify, but I think the common ground is uncontrollable and unpredictable situations. If fear and doubt are the opposite of love and trust, to reverse my fears, I’d need to trust India and the journey we will embark upon.
I checked the Wall Street Journal and New York Times updates from my iphone throughout the day—an amazing technology. That action sparked my thought process… and I remembered a piece of Zakaria’s The Post American World I had read:
“One reason for the mismatch between reality and our sense of it might be that, over these same decades, we have experienced a revolution in information technology that now brings us news from around the world instantly, vividly and continuously…
…It feels like a very dangerous world. But it isn’t. Your chances of dying as a consequence of organized violence of any kind are low and getting lower.”
Relative to other periods of time on planet earth, the times we live in are relatively calm; we are now simply better informed. Now I know Fareed Zakaria wrote this book before the bombings in Mumbai, but I would bet that fact remains true.
Countries (yes, even our own) seem to have a way of shielding or screening information from their citizens, like China’s Great Firewall. The media sways the opinions of people, consciously or not. We now have endless ways to acquire information… newspapers, TV, radio, cell phones, or what our Chindia speaker Lonnie Hodge made many references to: Twitter. Twitter has been known to carry news faster than news networks! People around the globe are linked and communicating. This in turn gives the media less power. Does it also ensure honesty?
So my question remains: is the world really an unsafe place, or have technological advances just made us more aware?
Chindia Blog Comment
Response to: So You Want To Learn To Say More Than Just Ni Hao?
Why knowing only English can be a disadvantage…
Yes, we should ALL want to learn to say more than just Ni Hao.
The globe is learning English… why? Because we’ve told them to. Part of the shift of power or what Zakaria calls the “rise of the rest” is the global use of the English language, nearing one quarter of the planet. Zakaria says:
“What sounds young and modern today is English. No language has ever spread so broadly and deeply across the world…
…Some 80% of the electronically stored information in the world is in English”
We know English is spreading like wildfire, but people do not forget their native tongue to take on English. They use it as an additional language. The gap here seems obvious to me: Americans know English, that’s it.
The rest of the world has adopted business practices, from the U.S. and Europe; we pushed this to happen. What Westerners failed to predict is how the lack of our own foreign language and culture knowledge would leave us behind, as much of the world is becoming bi and multi-lingual.
Many Californians know Spanish, probably because of the proximity to Mexico and the immigrant influence on California’s agricultural economy. In this golden state, most of us land on a spectrum of understanding and/or speaking Spanish.
Other languages do not seem to be commonly spoken, by Americans born in the US that is. It’s refreshing to hear the occasional foreign language in our not-so-culturally-diverse town.
We seem to be a tattle tale of a country and the one to point fingers. Zakaria states, “we are the only country in the world to issue annual report cards on every other country’s behavior.”
What has happened while we were pointing fingers and giving report cards elsewhere? Has our own ego created our potential demise?
Why knowing only English can be a disadvantage…
Yes, we should ALL want to learn to say more than just Ni Hao.
The globe is learning English… why? Because we’ve told them to. Part of the shift of power or what Zakaria calls the “rise of the rest” is the global use of the English language, nearing one quarter of the planet. Zakaria says:
“What sounds young and modern today is English. No language has ever spread so broadly and deeply across the world…
…Some 80% of the electronically stored information in the world is in English”
We know English is spreading like wildfire, but people do not forget their native tongue to take on English. They use it as an additional language. The gap here seems obvious to me: Americans know English, that’s it.
The rest of the world has adopted business practices, from the U.S. and Europe; we pushed this to happen. What Westerners failed to predict is how the lack of our own foreign language and culture knowledge would leave us behind, as much of the world is becoming bi and multi-lingual.
Many Californians know Spanish, probably because of the proximity to Mexico and the immigrant influence on California’s agricultural economy. In this golden state, most of us land on a spectrum of understanding and/or speaking Spanish.
Other languages do not seem to be commonly spoken, by Americans born in the US that is. It’s refreshing to hear the occasional foreign language in our not-so-culturally-diverse town.
We seem to be a tattle tale of a country and the one to point fingers. Zakaria states, “we are the only country in the world to issue annual report cards on every other country’s behavior.”
What has happened while we were pointing fingers and giving report cards elsewhere? Has our own ego created our potential demise?
Chindia Blog Comment
Response to: The Day or Two After: President Obama and China (and India)
What’s in Store for Global Trade?
Cal Poly classrooms entertained a big elephant for the majority of this year… as instructors were warned not to talk about it. That elephant is a sticky topic called politics, or more specifically, our new president-elect Barack Obama. Now, I don’t mean to unveil the elephant or open a big can of worms… but, a question on my mind has been, how will our global business dynamic change with the new trade policies of Barack Obama?
In his campaign, Obama talked about the need to create local U.S. jobs. The United States has relied on countries such as China and India to manufacture products for much less money. Will we see a shift when new policies are put into place? Will new factories in the United States start producing items that have been produced elsewhere?
Relevant to this topic, here are Obama’s trade policies from http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/:
Trade
Obama and Biden believe that trade with foreign nations should strengthen the American economy and create more American jobs. He will stand firm against agreements that undermine our economic security.
• Fight for Fair Trade: Obama and Biden will fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs. They will use trade agreements to spread good labor and environmental standards around the world and stand firm against agreements like the Central American Free Trade Agreement that fail to live up to those important benchmarks. Obama and Biden will also pressure the World Trade Organization to enforce trade agreements and stop countries from continuing unfair government subsidies to foreign exporters and nontariff barriers on U.S. exports.
• Amend the North American Free Trade Agreement: Obama and Biden believe that NAFTA and its potential were oversold to the American people. They will work with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to fix NAFTA so that it works for American workers.
• End Tax Breaks for Companies that Send Jobs Overseas: Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that companies should not get billions of dollars in tax deductions for moving their operations overseas. Obama and Biden will also fight to ensure that public contracts are awarded to companies that are committed to American workers.
• Reward Companies that Support American Workers: Barack Obama introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 with Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to reward companies that create good jobs with good benefits for American workers. The legislation would provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain their corporate headquarters in America if it has ever been in America; pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health insurance; and support employees who serve in the military.
To say the least, there is going to be re-negotiation! Obama seeks to renegotiate NAFTA as well as put pressure on the WTO. How will the global economy react? He thinks global trade will stimulate our economy but does not want to send jobs overseas.
Where does this leave China and India? Will these requirements change the consumerism mentality of Americans? Will they entice businessmen and women in China and India to produce more products themselves to trade? Will this in turn stimulate their economies?
What’s in Store for Global Trade?
Cal Poly classrooms entertained a big elephant for the majority of this year… as instructors were warned not to talk about it. That elephant is a sticky topic called politics, or more specifically, our new president-elect Barack Obama. Now, I don’t mean to unveil the elephant or open a big can of worms… but, a question on my mind has been, how will our global business dynamic change with the new trade policies of Barack Obama?
In his campaign, Obama talked about the need to create local U.S. jobs. The United States has relied on countries such as China and India to manufacture products for much less money. Will we see a shift when new policies are put into place? Will new factories in the United States start producing items that have been produced elsewhere?
Relevant to this topic, here are Obama’s trade policies from http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/:
Trade
Obama and Biden believe that trade with foreign nations should strengthen the American economy and create more American jobs. He will stand firm against agreements that undermine our economic security.
• Fight for Fair Trade: Obama and Biden will fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs. They will use trade agreements to spread good labor and environmental standards around the world and stand firm against agreements like the Central American Free Trade Agreement that fail to live up to those important benchmarks. Obama and Biden will also pressure the World Trade Organization to enforce trade agreements and stop countries from continuing unfair government subsidies to foreign exporters and nontariff barriers on U.S. exports.
• Amend the North American Free Trade Agreement: Obama and Biden believe that NAFTA and its potential were oversold to the American people. They will work with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to fix NAFTA so that it works for American workers.
• End Tax Breaks for Companies that Send Jobs Overseas: Barack Obama and Joe Biden believe that companies should not get billions of dollars in tax deductions for moving their operations overseas. Obama and Biden will also fight to ensure that public contracts are awarded to companies that are committed to American workers.
• Reward Companies that Support American Workers: Barack Obama introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 with Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to reward companies that create good jobs with good benefits for American workers. The legislation would provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain their corporate headquarters in America if it has ever been in America; pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health insurance; and support employees who serve in the military.
To say the least, there is going to be re-negotiation! Obama seeks to renegotiate NAFTA as well as put pressure on the WTO. How will the global economy react? He thinks global trade will stimulate our economy but does not want to send jobs overseas.
Where does this leave China and India? Will these requirements change the consumerism mentality of Americans? Will they entice businessmen and women in China and India to produce more products themselves to trade? Will this in turn stimulate their economies?
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