Off-Shoring the Middle Class: Managing White-Collar Job...

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 316 pages
• Published by: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing August 23, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1589399137
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1589399136
• Book Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Weighs: 10.4 ounces

Product Description
Globalization and the off-shoring of middle-class jobs will be one of the most important forces shaping the 21st Century. Accelerating job migration is already permanently altering nearly every one of the world's economies, typically leaving Western workers anxious about how to compete. For instance, just when Mr. and Mrs. Middle Class have finished school, gotten good jobs, had their kids, and bought their house, they find their jobs are exported to China or India. Destined to become a guidebook to thriving in the 21st Century, Off-Shoring the Middle Class outlines the prompt action required on many levels as governments, corporations, and individuals are all drawn into the battle to remain competitive, to move up the value chain, and to succeed in a world gone flat. "Off-Shoring the Middle Class" explains how off-shoring affects society and workers at every level and outlines a course of action for each, including a mix of better public policy, more innovation, more relevant education, and substantially expanded entrepreneurship, following the Silicon Valley model.

Reader Reviews
Off-shoring the Middle Class has a fundamental premise: globalization is beneficial to everyone and is here to stay. Mushero argues that while our government may try to "protect" us with trade barriers, globalization will eventually catch up with us. The question is how prepared will we be when it finally comes. He argues that protectionist measures end up hurting all countries--especially those that institute these measures. After the "gloom-and-doom" message, Mushero outlines the main competitive advantages that we have, and suggests areas where these advantages can be leveraged in world trade. The first few chapters outline the issues as Mushero sees them. The bulk of the book focuses on government policies that Mushero believes would leverage our natural advantages, and the last couple of chapters outline what corporations and individuals need to effectively compete in a global marketplace. The case for global free trade is very compelling. The benefits of free trade percolate to all--people in developing and those in the developed nations. Those trying to restrict free trade tend to focus on specific industries and worry about how our share of the global pie of goods and services is shrinking. What these advocates discount is that world trade also increases the size of the entire pie (new markets and expanded markets as more of the world's population demands goods and services that once were luxuries). Some of Musharo's assertions cause one to question his argument. For example, Musharo says that most Americans see globalization as taking jobs away from us. The assertion extends to individuals, politicians, and organizations (such as unions and professional groups). While this may have been true in the 1970s, we are now more aware of global issues, and hence better able to evaluate the impact of globalization. Off-shoring the Middle Class makes a strong case for globalization and the salient assumptions are basically sound. Most readers are likely to see Mushero's point of view and would probably take exception with some points of his argument, hence may not agree with some of his suggestions. Overall, his argument has merit and at least opens the door for further discussion. Armchair Interviews says: Unique look at something that affects all of us.