Corporate Nationalism Is Dead: Apple, Facebook, Google, Twitter, etc aren't 'U.S.' companies
Book Details
Author(s)Raymond Ernst
PublisherRaymond G Ernst
ISBN / ASINB015UYBJ0A
ISBN-13978B015UYBJ04
MarketplaceFrance 🇫🇷
Description
Will technology reshape geopolitics? Data and events from 2005 to 2015 confirm such and new relationships between geopolitics, business, technology, leadership and even terrorism. In July 2015, the Wall Street Journal published my letter, 'Corporate Nationalism is Fading', that triggered this book. Based on additional research (over 100 sources), the title was changed to 'Corporate Nationalism is Dead'. Corporate allegiance to the U.S. is diminished and global influence has increased.
During the period, 2005 – 2015, internet usage went from one to three billion users reaching almost half of the world. By 2015, the U.S. represented less than 10%. This expansion was fueled by mobile (iPhone in 2007), social media (Facebook grew to 1.5 billion users, 83% overseas), video, and e-commerce, along with the growth of a global middle class. Major U.S. tech corporations opened business-critical research and development centers overseas, responding to markets and antiquated U.S. tax policies. Funding came from profits not returned (repatriated) to the U.S. In 2005, corporations had $.5 trillion in cash from profits overseas and $2.1 trillion by 2014. Microsoft and others testified to Congress in 2012 on tax policy; Apple testified in 2013. Nothing changed. In 2013, Apple had $100 billion overseas and $180 billion by 2015.
Other industries increased the use of technology (such as Internet of Things and Big Data) during this period to create advanced products for global competitiveness.
A parallel factor is that the median age is under 25 in developing countries. Many of these youth are using smartphones, developing apps, taking online classes, participating in hackathons, tweeting, and posting to Facebook. Examples come from Kenya, Nairobi, Pakistan, India, and China. Geopolitical usage emerged with the 2011 Arab Spring.
The global expansion is not over. Google, Facebook, and others are working on the space-based internet from high-altitude balloons, drones, and satellites. Google tested a balloon in New Zealand; Facebook tested a drone in the UK. Most of these new intended users are poor, but these corporations have altruistic ideas to change those conditions. Perhaps that is a characteristic of these new corporate states.
Global competition driven by innovation is intense. Jobs and education are critical; particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Global demand for education will exceed the supply. China and India are the largest markets for online learning courses; the most popular are on computing from the U.S.
While this is happening, governments and technology corporations are butting heads on taxation, security, location of data, access to user data, and privacy. Technology is moving 10x the speed of major governments. Governments are burdened with debt and stymied by political ideological differences. Space-based internet and crypto currencies, like bitcoin, will present huge geopolitical challenges. Terrorism grew unabated during this period and major governments lack strategies. Will tech take a bigger role? Events and sci-fi predict such.
Of all the technology leaders, Mark Zuckerberg, the 31 year old founder and CEO of Facebook, is most visible – chatting almost daily with worldwide Facebook users on technology, education, health, poverty, and terrorism. Additionally, Mr. Zuckerberg met with at least seven national leaders in the 2014-2015 timeframe; twice with Prime Minister Modi of India. Meetings focused on connectivity, health, jobs, education, and e-commerce to improve the quality of life. Facebook’s goal is to raise 400 million people out of poverty. What will Mr. Zuckerberg do in the next decade? Or, Sergey Brin, the cofounder of Google, who has similar goals of changing the world.
Historically, there is a natural tendency to rely on national governments. Given these technology trends, is this still valid? Will the elections even matter?
During the period, 2005 – 2015, internet usage went from one to three billion users reaching almost half of the world. By 2015, the U.S. represented less than 10%. This expansion was fueled by mobile (iPhone in 2007), social media (Facebook grew to 1.5 billion users, 83% overseas), video, and e-commerce, along with the growth of a global middle class. Major U.S. tech corporations opened business-critical research and development centers overseas, responding to markets and antiquated U.S. tax policies. Funding came from profits not returned (repatriated) to the U.S. In 2005, corporations had $.5 trillion in cash from profits overseas and $2.1 trillion by 2014. Microsoft and others testified to Congress in 2012 on tax policy; Apple testified in 2013. Nothing changed. In 2013, Apple had $100 billion overseas and $180 billion by 2015.
Other industries increased the use of technology (such as Internet of Things and Big Data) during this period to create advanced products for global competitiveness.
A parallel factor is that the median age is under 25 in developing countries. Many of these youth are using smartphones, developing apps, taking online classes, participating in hackathons, tweeting, and posting to Facebook. Examples come from Kenya, Nairobi, Pakistan, India, and China. Geopolitical usage emerged with the 2011 Arab Spring.
The global expansion is not over. Google, Facebook, and others are working on the space-based internet from high-altitude balloons, drones, and satellites. Google tested a balloon in New Zealand; Facebook tested a drone in the UK. Most of these new intended users are poor, but these corporations have altruistic ideas to change those conditions. Perhaps that is a characteristic of these new corporate states.
Global competition driven by innovation is intense. Jobs and education are critical; particularly in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Global demand for education will exceed the supply. China and India are the largest markets for online learning courses; the most popular are on computing from the U.S.
While this is happening, governments and technology corporations are butting heads on taxation, security, location of data, access to user data, and privacy. Technology is moving 10x the speed of major governments. Governments are burdened with debt and stymied by political ideological differences. Space-based internet and crypto currencies, like bitcoin, will present huge geopolitical challenges. Terrorism grew unabated during this period and major governments lack strategies. Will tech take a bigger role? Events and sci-fi predict such.
Of all the technology leaders, Mark Zuckerberg, the 31 year old founder and CEO of Facebook, is most visible – chatting almost daily with worldwide Facebook users on technology, education, health, poverty, and terrorism. Additionally, Mr. Zuckerberg met with at least seven national leaders in the 2014-2015 timeframe; twice with Prime Minister Modi of India. Meetings focused on connectivity, health, jobs, education, and e-commerce to improve the quality of life. Facebook’s goal is to raise 400 million people out of poverty. What will Mr. Zuckerberg do in the next decade? Or, Sergey Brin, the cofounder of Google, who has similar goals of changing the world.
Historically, there is a natural tendency to rely on national governments. Given these technology trends, is this still valid? Will the elections even matter?
