The Lexus and the Olive Tree

The Lexus and the Olive Tree
Thomas Friedman
Anchor Books (2000)
This book is about understanding globalization as an international system that is shaping the modern world. Although globalization is not new to humanity, this modern version is much more essential to understand than in the past because technology has accelerated it at a pace never before witnessed in human history. Friedman argues that globalization also has a wider societal impact now than ever before in the major facets of life such as economics, geography, politics, and the environment.
The early chapters of the book focus on introducing globalization as the major global system replacing the Cold War system. The remaining sections of the book focus on the major systems in society and how they have been impacted, for better or worse, by globalization. One of the key arguments of the author is that nobody is charge of the globalization system, so accountability and influence over the system are difficult to achieve. For instance, Friedman gives examples of economic collapses in remote, third world countries that now send huge shock waves throughout the entire global economic community via the connectedness of what he calls the Electronic Herd.
The complexities of globalization generate many questions, which are clearly outlines by the author. However, concrete solutions are presented to many of the questions. Friedman asserts that countries can compete in the modern globalization by implementing what he calls the Golden Straitjacket, which has many different pieces that are clearly outlined in the content of this book. In basic terms, when a country “puts on the Golden Straitjacket, two things tend to happen: your economy grows and your politics shrinks.” (105) Countries need to see the globalization system, plug into the system, and continually deal with the backlash of the system.
Friedman argues that “if there is a common denominator that runs through this book it is the notion that globalization is everything and its opposite. It can be incredibly empowering and incredibly coercive.” (406) Globalization as a system has the power to destroy itself or do great good for humanity. He published this book about ten years ago, but the concepts are remarkably applicable to the global economic crisis that is plaguing the world today. The globalization system has caused great economic harm recently, but it may also be just the thing that lifts the world out of the current troubles. Leaders in all sectors of life must seek to understand the globalization. That is the only way that we will recover.
I was appreciative of the understanding that I gained from reading this book on globalization. I believe it has profound implications for the local and universal church, in particular mission efforts. Church leaders must learn to understand systems, but unfortunately many Christian leaders today are shying away from systematic justice issues. When the church fails to fulfill her societal role, the world suffers. When Christians sink back from involvement in the complex issues, it creates a huge void in any society. I have conversations with Christians all of the time who throw their hands up in the air and say things like, “This whole world is going down the drain, I’ve lost all hope, and I’m just biding my time until Jesus comes back.” Although I hope for Jesus to come back just as much as the next person, I am amazed at how people disengage at complex systematic injustices. Our society needs Christian leaders to engage!