Free Trade and the New Middler

Free Trade, according to New Oxford American Dictionary, is “international trade left to its natural course without tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions”.  What a brilliant concept!  It came as quite the surprise to me to learn that there were actual products that could be and actually are purchased between countries that have no added amount (tariffs) attached to it.  Of course there are benefits to having free trade and there are drawbacks as well.  It simply depends on which side of the trade you are on, and in all honesty, whether or not you live in America.  Free trade allows us to exchange product for the value that it is at, and sell it as such.  Whenever we place barriers between us and other countries, no good ever comes of it.  There are products and designs that would take us years to think up, whereas other countries create it in a few short months; and vice versa. 

The basic concept of a sports team applies well to the concept of free trade.  If a team member were willing to give more than they take, they would be considered a ‘team player’.  Even if a team member practices for hours every day to improve their game but isolate himself or herself when practicing with the team and refuse to depend upon others’ skills, they will contribute nothing to the game they are so fond of.  So it is with Free Trade.  Every individual has the capacity to donate something to the world.  If they are unwilling to share, or those receiving are unwilling to receive all due to minute and insignificant details, (usually as a result of selfishness and greed) the world would not progress.  We would be stagnant, and so would every other continent on the planet.  The moment we begin trading amongst one another and do it freely, we progress and ideas build upon others’ ideas. 

However, this brings us to another point that could be a downside to the concept of Free Trade.  When jobs are being sent from the United States to other countries to be more efficient, suddenly the United States’ economy suffers; jobs are lost, and people no longer have the ability to contribute.  There are many more perspectives and angles that ought to be looked at when considering Free Trade.  All in all, the ability to trade freely between countries and share ideas is beneficial to nearly everyone involved. 

As previously discussed, Globalization can be broken down into 3 parts : Globalization 1, 2 and 3.  In Globalization 1 “countries had to think globally”, then in 2, “companies had to think globally”, and in 3, “individuals had to think globally” (Friedman 278).  Simply put, individuals have to be concerned more with themselves and their fitting into the world (not just their family or community) now.  In order to fit in and thrive they must find the new middle.  To continue doing what ‘old timers’ have always done will bring little to no success.  New middlers include ‘The Untouchables’ and ‘The Greats’.  Untouchable persons are those whose jobs are nearly forever secure.  They have the prime situation-they are the heads of businesses and the famous individuals we hear about in the news.  ‘The Greats’ are individuals who succeed in their area of expertise simply because of their talents and drive.  In order to ever feel secure globally it would be wise to become one of these individuals.  Getting there is quite the feat though. 

The equation CQ+PQ=IQ would be of great benefit for anyone striving to feel the security previously talked about.  CQ (curiosity quotient) and PQ (passion quotient) are more important to society today than IQ.  If a child has curiosity and passion, they can accomplish nearly anything they put their mind to.  My husband is the perfect example of this.  While driving in the car he speaks of nearly anything and everything we are passing by, things that, to a ‘regular’ person, would be quite boring.  It is truly a talent to turn something that seems common in the world into something fascinating and fantastic.  Desire and curiosity are main players in the rising generation’s success; they require diligence and hard work.  In a flat world, those two qualities are becoming more costly than gold.