Challenging the Flat World Theory: Richard Florida's Spiky Economy

What is the main consequence of the destruction of India's public food system, according to the text?

What is the main argument made by Thomas L. Friedman's book 'The World Is Flat'?

What is the main point of Vandana Shiva's article 'The Polarised World of Globalisation'?

What is the main theme of Richard Florida's article 'The World Is Spiky'?

What is the main challenge in determining whether the world is flat or spiky?

What is a likely consequence of economic globalization, according to the text?

Which group is most likely to be affected by the destruction of India's public food system?

What is a possible implication of the polarization of wealth in a globalized economy?

Who is most likely to benefit from the destruction of India's public food system?

What is a consequence of the concentration of wealth among the 0.1%?

The World: Flat or Spiky?

The world's economy is a subject of debate, with some arguing it's flat and others claiming it's spiky.
Richard Florida's view is that the world is spiky, with economic inequality.

Economic Inequality

A small number of cities and regions are driving the world economy, causing them to grow richer.
Meanwhile, the areas left out continue to get poorer.
The 10 largest U.S. cities have a larger economy than nearly any country on Earth.

Urbanization

Today, up to 50% of the world's population live in cities, compared to 3% in 1800.
Urban areas have far more wealth than areas with fewer people.

Global Economy

The global economy is not flat, with surprisingly few regions truly mattering.
New York's economy alone is about the size of Russia's or Brazil's.

Consequences of Inequality

A spiky world brings danger, with a serious divide across the globe.
Inequality is creating a political push against globalization.

Globalization

India's public food system was destroyed to create markets for big agriculture businesses.
The world of the 99.9% has grown poorer because of economic globalization.

Different Perspectives

One's region, gender, age, and economic standing may shape how they view the topic.
Considering these factors can help decide on a clearer answer to whether the world is flat or spiky.

Test your knowledge on Richard Florida's concept of a 'spiky' economy, which argues that the world is not flat and that economic inequality is prevalent. Learn how a small number of cities and regions are driving the global economy, while others are left behind.