[yequalsx]

Your first sentence of your last paragraph shows one of the problems with globalization. We have seen in the U.S. municipalities competing with each other to see who can give the most subsidies to large corporations. The effects have not been so desirable. Now we are seeing this played out on a grand, global scale. It's potentially a race to the bottom.

I think globalization without a proper international regulating agency is a bad thing. It's great for the people who have the ability to move from one country to the next. Who can find the optimal place for them to live in. Most people don't have this luxury.

[mattchew]

> Most people don't have this luxury.

Maybe one way to make globalization great for more people, is to make international mobility practical for more people.

[yequalsx]

Indeed. As it is mobility barriers partially serve to keep masses of people stuck and this could possibly lead to a new, modern form of feudalism.

[RawData]

> Most people don't have this luxury.

Why not? Seriously. What's stopping anyone from doing this exact thing? Inertia...that's really all - when you get right down to it..

[yzhengyu]

Well, you may call it inertia. But really, once you add up all these challenges, it tends to be quite substantial.

For example, say, you are a skilled plumber who owns a similar business repairing/installing plumbing in Shanghai, China. Theoretically, all these skills would actually make him/her eminently employable or set up a similar business, say in Sweden.

Unfortunately, that is really not the case.

Be as much as most of us would wish, capital has really achieved utter victory over labour. Till we have some major innovation which will neutralize the advantages of having mass amounts of capital, we are transitioning towards a new feudalism.

As I was mentioning to a colleague, the only reasons why we have a job is that software development/programming/computer systems is still sufficiently complex enough for up to 80% of the world population.

Or else we would actually be quite screwed as well. ;)

[RawData]

OK...skilled plumber...he might not be able to move...I studied economics in college and there are examples of industries that the professors would always cite...like hair stylists...plumbers...etc. Sure.

BUT...that plumber could create a company hiring local plumbers in 20 different countries, and sell plumbing services locally in each of those countries, and incorporate the overall business in a friendly tax country.

So your example isn't really valid. I argue that ANYONE can take advantage of globalization with a little thought. If you choose not to, and Apple chooses TO do...well its really your own fault and choice...isn't it?

That's just one simple example...that plumber could create a digital course that teaches others to become plumbers...or teaches plumbers to market their services better...he could package that digital product, incorporate a company in singapore or WHEREVER he finds the best corporate tax rate, and take advantage of the same things Apple does...

I could go on and on...it's all choice. You chose to be proactive or you choose to snipe at others who do...A thing is not unfair if everyone has the ability to take advantage of it...and some simply choose not to because it's hard.

[yzhengyu]

Ah. Be careful where you are stepping.

Yes, its one choice. But personally, I find that to be rather too smug / elitist and smacks of "Oh, its HIS/HER choice - there's nothing DEFICIENT or FLAWED with the current setup" rather than recognizing that the market/world is inherently complex and difficult to navigate.

Arguing that it's one choice is just sophistry. Kinda like those just world people I meet who argue that the poor deserve their station because its their choice.

[RawData]

Sure there's tons of stuff flawed with the current system...but that's the system, not Apple. Change the system if you don't like it, don't penalize companies like Apple who play by the rules of that system. You can't have it both ways...

I don't think my argument is sophistry...choice is very important. It's the cornerstone of my beliefs and it's a valid philosophy.

[CapitalistCartr]

Try emigrating from China to the USA. Its not inertia. There are many millions of people who would gladly move to another country given the opportunity.

[RawData]

We aren't talking about emigration...we're talking about corporate domicile creation...the red tape is substantially less...

But even emigrating...why not? My girlfriends brothers wife emigrated from China to the US...my brothers exwife emigrated from Sri Lanka to the US...I have lots of friends who's families have done this...what's the problem?

[jarek]

Where do you currently live? What are the immigration requirements to move to, say, Australia?

[rmc]

Visa issues? You cant just move and work in any country you like.

[RawData]

I'm pretty sure I could incorporate a business virtually anywhere I liked (within reason - there are obvious exceptions). No one is going to throw me in prison if I try to start a company in Singapore, or Chile, or Hong Kong, or any other whatever. You don't have to physically MOVE there in most cases...and even if you did...what's stopping you? And as to Visa issues...there's ways to gain residency in most countries...you can make it happen if you want.