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Bonfiglio stays current . . .
On Important Economic Trends Olga Bonfiglio stays current on important economic and social trends affecting our community. Here she reviews and summarizes selected books and articles that she believes are
essential reading for those who want to understand the new global economy in which we live.
The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization
by Thomas Friedman (1999)
This book explains where we have been and where we are going as a global society. The industrial era of the past provided
well-defined boundaries between communities, companies, nation-states, markets, and peoples. The new era of globalization breaks down all of these boundaries and shapes our lives by integrating technology,
finance, and information into a single global market. As a result, globalization has created a system that is shaped by superpowers, supermarkets, and super-empowered individuals. In other words, national
governments are no longer the key players. And, corporations no longer control markets.
New Rules for the New Economy
by Kevin Kelly (1998)
Wired magazine editor Kevin Kelly explains how the new rules of the "network economy" operate and how they are different from
the rules of the industrial economy. For example, the character of the industrial economy was a mechanistic, hierarchical, centrally-controlled model of organization. It was run like the military: an individual
was able to survive in the organization—and could climb the ladder to more responsibility if s/he produced efficiently. As a reward, the company provided lifetime employment and a high degree of certainty about
life in society and one's place in it. The character of our new network economy is that it is an organic, ever-growing, ever-connecting entity—that no one controls. As a result, this new economy is disruptive
and out of balance, but it encourages innovation for those who participate in it. Everyone else, however, is left behind.
The Age of Access
by Jeremy Rifkin (1999)
Access is the new conception of wealth. During the
industrial era, wealth was about ownership and the accumulation of physical property. Now, wealth is seen as access to information, resources, clients, and markets. Consumers, for example, buy access to wealth
through auto leases, home rentals, memberships, and other kinds of service relationships. Businesses buy access to wealth by belonging to a network. Markets, the heart of industrial capitalism, remain, but they
play an increasingly diminished role because intellectual capital (e.g., concepts, ideas, and images) has more value.
Rethinking the Future
(Collected Essays)
Edited by Rowan Gibson (1997)
This collection
of essays contains a wealth of great ideas on today's economy. Here are some of the more memorable and applicable quotes from these essays.
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Bonfiglio Brief:"As treasurer, I will help bring new jobs, enhance our economic vitality, and protect the quality of life
in our county by being an advocate, connector, and facilitator among businesses, educational institutions, and local governments." |
