Globalization is not a recent phenomenon; it began in the 1870s when international trade and investment expanded to sell mass-produced products worldwide, driven by technologies such as steam engines and electricity. The peak of globalization occurred in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The economy advances primarily through improvements in productivity. The technological advancements mentioned have significantly influenced this productivity growth. For example, a smartphone, which combines the functionality of a computer with that of a mobile device, exemplifies technological progress that has brought convenience to mankind. However, smartphone technology and network effects haven’t contributed to the expected boost in human productivity. Technology can be categorized into those that enhance productivity and those that do not. Although today’s technology development exceeds that of the past, it doesn’t automatically lead to greater productivity. To build wealth, incre...
Economic activity must accompany a counterparty. Since people couldn't live alone anyway, they exchanged whatever goods met their needs, and as a result, an "economic system" was created. The standard of exchange is called "value" and the numerical representation of it is called "price. "Value" and "price" certainly do not necessarily match, and one of the main reasons is "competition. In the end, value is exchanged for price. Values are offered at the pricing initially presented by others or at a provider's insistence that wants to earn profit at first. If only the offered price is recognized by others, the recognized price is accepted as its determined value. The price of one's wage agreed upon with another is the real price of one. All other evaluations and recognitions except the above are only self-justifications and excuses. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”