Richard Florida - Globality

Richard Florida sees the effects of globalization from a different viewpoint than Friedman, meaning the world is not flat but rather “spiky.” He argues that the high population density in the cities makes these areas more economically competitive on a global level as large concentrations of people are more likely to harbor creativity and other talents that lead to/promote innovation. He thus argues that not only is the world not flat, but it continues to become even more spiky as time progresses. The world only appears to be flat because social and economic distances seem shorter with use of the internet and modern transportation conveniences. He also argues that globalization is devastating for areas of low population density. He uses China as an example: while Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen are bustling with people and innovation the rural areas of China are home to desperate poverty.


This relates to the central place theory because more densely populated cities are prone to more variety and specialization in terms of medical, retail, food, entertainment and other services. Just as Florida asserts that more innovation is found in these “spiky areas” there is clearly much more innovative services in a regional metropolis than hamlet. Therefore, Florida argues that this dispersion of population and effect of globalization creates a cultural and economic divide.


Aberdeen, Scotland would be considered a regional city; the population is 183,030. Edinburgh would be considered a regional metropolis and Glasgow would be considered a national metropolis. Dundee is a small city and Paisley is a town. Aberdeen has services including an international airport and other common modern conveniences; however, as you increase on the hierarchy, Glasgow and Edinburgh contain more specialized services.