As the technology of the past gives way to the technology of the future, the world is becoming a smaller and smaller place. In economic terms, global interdependence is increasing as time passes. In other words, we as the United States, as well as other countries, rely on each other for the three factors of production, land, labor, and capital. As noted in Thomas L. Freidman's book, The World is Flat, there are several instances where global interdependence began. For example, the introduction of the Internet, which created a common forum where people could connect with each other instantly, was revolutionary in the process of interdependence. Additionally, the Global Interdependence Center, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a non-profit organization that has a global focus. According to the GIC their mission is to “encourage the expansion of global dialogue and free trade in order to improve cooperation and understanding between nation states, with the aim of reducing international conflicts and improving living standards on a global level." The American economic system has become closely tied to foreign economies through global interdependence and the advent of new technologies, methods of communication, and transportation that break down barriers that previously could not be broken. This is demonstrated in our relationships with countries and organizations such as China, the European Union and OPEC. As globalization increases, countries become increasingly dependent on each other for resources such as oil. Oil, nicknamed “black gold,” has become one of the most valuable resources in the world. According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the United States of America is the largest consumer of oil in the world, devouring as many as 19,150,000 b…… of paper……ds and it would help us leave a firmer footprint in the history. Works Cited Thomas L. Friedman, The World Is Flat: a Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, 1st updated and expanded edition. (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006), page nr.http://www.interdependence.org/about/overview-mission/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world- factbook/rankorder/2174rank.htmlhttp://www.cnbc.com/id/41887743/The_World_s_15_Biggest_Oil_Producers?slide=16https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sa.htmlhttp: //www.opec.org/opec_web/en/data_graphs/330.htmhttp://recession.org/history/1970s-oil-crisishttp://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/wto_dg_stat_e.htmhttp: //www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/fact2_e.htmhttp://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/fact2_e.htm#nondiscrimination