80s Quote by Thomas Friedman
“The reason that we are becoming less equal is because of the greater requirements, secure requirements, for a good job. This goes back to the '80s basically, this started changing as globalization and the IT revolution merged, and each started to drive the other.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Economic Globalization Talk, 2005
Increasing inequality stems from rising demand for secure, high‑skill jobs driven by globalization and IT, leaving many behind.
In simple terms: Job security demands cause inequality.
Key Takeaway
Adapt skills to new market demands.
Themes
inequality
globalization
technology
labor market
education
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
economic
policy
When to use this quote
- career planning
- education policy
- workforce training
- government regulation
- corporate hiring
Key Concepts
Human capital
structural change
skill premium
Questions to Reflect On
- How can workers in declining industries retrain?
- What policies can reduce skill gaps?
A Different Perspective
Not all sectors benefit equally; some regions lack infrastructure to adapt.
![“It was a very economically depressed time [the 80s] and because of that, there was a lot of space. Everything was relatively dilapidated, and one could live on a pretty low income. One could live well below the poverty line and not suffer immensely.” quote by Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f7/kiki-smith-10643_80s_it-was-a-very-economically-depressed-tim_26978.jpg)
