Oct 24, 2007 mcdonaldization is a term used by sociologist george ritzer in his book the mcdonaldization of society 1993. He explains it occurs when a culture possesses the characteristics of a fastfood restaurant. Mcdonaldization, first described by ritzer 1993, describes the process by which rationality is used to streamline processes to the point of irrationality. As put forth in the mcdonaldization of society, the principles of the fastfood restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of american society, 1 including medicine. In this lesson, we discuss his concept of mcdonaldization and. Coined by george ritzer born 1940 in the mcdonaldization of society 1993. The mcdonaldization of society essayssociety today has primarily become mcdonalized in its way of thinking and doing everyday activities. Ritzer suggests that in the later part of the 20th century the sociallystructured form of the fastfood restaurant has become the organizational force representing and extending the process of rationalization into the realm of everyday interaction and individual identity. This article employs the concept of mcdonaldization introduced by george ritzer in 1993 in. George ritzer and the crisis of the public intellectual. The mcdonaldization thesis presupposes some familiarity with sociologist george ritzers earlier work, the mcdonaldization of society 1993, in which he defines mcdonaldization as the process by which the principles of the fastfood restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of american society as well as the rest of the world. The mcdonaldization of society is the search for maximum efficiency in increasing numerous and diverse. In fact, in a recent usa today interview, i used just that expression, call it.
An introduction to mcdonaldization george ritzer r ay kroc 19021984, the genius behind the franchising of mcdonalds restaurants, was a man with big ideas and grand ambitions. The author of this term, the american sociologist george ritzer, defines mcdonaldization as the process by which the principles of the fastfood restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of american society as well as the rest of the world see the mcdonaldization of society, 1993. Mcdonaldization is the process by which principles of the fast. The mcdonaldization of society an investigation into the changing character of contemporary social life by george ritzer. George ritzer, bestselling author of mcdonaldization of society, has updated this popular anthology to build upon and go beyond the thesis of mcdonaldization.
This revised new century edition provides many new, relevant examples from recent events and. This article proposes the idea of disneyization as a complementary notion to mcdonaldization. Fast food restaurants, management, popular culture, rationalization psychology, social aspects of fast food restaurants, social aspects of management, social conditions, social structure, mcdonalds corporation, mcdonalds. George ritzer authored the mcdonaldization of society in 1993, and it remains one of the bestselling sociology books of all time. The bureaucratization of society the mcdonaldization of society george ritzer the success of fast food chains is used by ritzer as a metaphor for some general trends characterizing contemporary american society. A society characterized by rationality is one which emphasizes efficiency, pre dictability, calculability, substitution of nonhuman for human technology, and con. On the origins of key ideas in sociology, mcgrawhill, 1994. In the mcdonaldization of society, author george ritzer takes the central elements of max webers work and expands and updates them, producing an analysis of the impact of structural change on human interaction and identity. For example, in your average chain grocery store, people at the register check out. Jan 21, 2004 one of the most popular sociology books of all time has been thoroughly updated to examine how mcdonaldization has roared into the 21st century.
Ritzers work is currently in its 9th edition, recently updated to. Nov 12, 2007 buy the mcdonaldization of society 5 1 by ritzer, george isbn. Pdf this article employs the concept of mcdonaldization. An introduction to mcdonaldization systemic school change. The mcdonaldization of society essay 1202 words bartleby. The mcdonaldization of society ritzer 1993 refers to the increasing presence of the fast food business model in common social institutions. It is not about mcdonalds itself, but rather how the principles of the fast food industry have come to dominate all parts of american society and the rest of the world. We have become a nation driven by concerns for rationality, speed, and efficiency that are so well illustrated by the mcdonalds style of. The mcdonaldization of society michael farrells analysis sources.
This sixth edition includes a new concluding chapter 10 the demcdonaldization society. Definition of mcdonaldization noun the process by which the principles of the fastfood restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of american society as well as the rest of world ritzer 2015. Ramona ford southwest texas state university san marcos, texas postmodernism, postindustrialism, postfordism views see chap. The social geography of mcdonaldization living what constitutes living on the island. The mcdonaldization of society, revised new century edition discusses how mcdonaldization and the broader process of globalization in a new chapter 8, are spreading more widely and more deeply into various social institutions such as education. The mcdonaldization of society, pine forge press, 1993. Jan 28, 2020 according to ritzer, the mcdonaldization of society is a phenomenon that occurs when society, its institutions, and its organizations are adapted to have the same characteristics that are found in fastfood chains. The mcdonaldization of society is a 1993 book by sociologist george ritzer. The mcdonaldization of society 1993 edition open library. Instructor praise for this book the text is eminently readable. George ritzer is a professor of sociology and author of the book the mcdonaldization of society an investigation into the changing character of contemporary social life. It is ideal for use in a wide range of undergraduate courses and will be of equal interest to anyone interested in social criticism.
Mcdonaldization is a reconceptualization of rationalization, or moving from traditional to rational modes of thought, and scientific management. Refering to our society as following the idea of fast food chains predictable, calculable, efficient, and controlling, ritzer not only described society today, but also used clear examples of how society will adapt and be effected by mcdonaldization in the future. Living in suburbia a mcdonaldized notion to community in itself, i literally just stood in the middle of a parking lot and could see every aspect of mcdonaldization in each shop. The mcdonaldization of society book by george ritzer. The mcdonaldization of society was compared with david.
A multiple paradigm science and toward an integrated sociological paradigm. As one of the most eyeopening and popular sociology books of all time, the mcdonaldization of society 6 demonstrates the power of the sociological imagination to today s readers in a way that few other books have, linking theory to contemporary popculture examples that resonate with 21stcentury students. It is said by some that we have seen the back of bureaucratic rationality, for it is a. Professor of sociology at the university of maryland. An investigation into the changing character of contemporary social life, by george ritzer. Sage books the mcdonaldization of society sage knowledge. The mcdonaldization of society social sci libretexts. The mcdonaldization of society george ritzer has taken the work of max weber and has expanded them to produce a process of rationalization called the mcdonaldization of society. The mcdonaldization of society article in the journal of american culture 61. These include efficiency, calculability, predictability and standardization, and control. Ritzer served as chair of the american sociological associations sections on theoretical sociology and organizations and occupations. George ritzer the mcdonaldization of society, revised new century edition, discusses how mcdonaldization and the broader process of globalization in a new chapter 8 are spreading more widely and more deeply. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
While designed to produce a rational system, the 4 basic principles of mcdonaldization efficiency, calculability, predictability, and controloften lead to adverse consequences. Many flock to attractions fastfood venues and enjoy their time there ex. The process of mcdonaldization can be summarized as the way in which the principles of the fastfood restaurant are coming to. Mcdonaldization is a mcword developed by sociologist george ritzer in his 1993 book the mcdonaldization of society. This business model includes efficiency the division of labor, predictability, calculability, and control monitoring. Buy a cheap copy of the mcdonaldization of society book by george ritzer. The way in which the hamburger chain prepares food for consumption is taken as an exemplar.
His main areas of interest are the sociology work working. The mcdonaldization of society was originally published in 1993 and has since been revised and republished several times. George ritzers mcdonaldization of society, now celebrating its 20thanniversary, continues to stand as one of the pillars of modern day sociological thought. Ritzer the mcdonaldization of society ch 1 intro 1993. The bureaucratization of society 43 the mcdonaldization of society george ritzer the success of fast food chains. For ritzer, mcdonaldization is when a society adopts the characteristics of a fastfood restaurant. Playpen at mcdonalds max webers iron cage dead society will become dominated. Mcdonaldization is a term used by sociologist george ritzer in his book the mcdonaldization of society 1993.
An investigation into the changing character of contemporary social life george ritzer pine forge press, jan 1, 1993 social science 221 pages. The bureaucratization of society 43 the mcdonaldization. Published 1993 by pine forge press in newbury park, calif. In todays society, everyone seems to be in a hurry. Pdf social media and the mcdonaldization of friendship. In this text ritzer argues that a process of mcdonaldization has taken place in which the principles of the fast food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of american society as well as the.
The author is a proud sponsor of the 2020 sage keith roberts teaching innovations award enabling graduate students and early career faculty to attend the annual asa preconference teaching and learning workshop the book that made mcdonaldization part of the lexicon of contemporary sociological theory, read by hundreds of thousands of students, is now in its ninth edition. The above information was drawn from two works by george ritzer. Marx and ritzer the mcdonaldization of society the meat. Both combine social theory, philosophy, cultural critique, and political. Excerpts from an introduction to mcdonaldization, pp. Jul 22, 2017 mcdonaldization of society nichole justice. The mcdonaldization of society an investigation into the changing character of contemporary social life.
Fascinating look at how our current society is organized using the four features of mcdonaldization. Oct 08, 2014 the mcdonaldization of society is a theory coined by george ritzer to describe the phenomena currently occurring in our society. It is from webers ideas on rationalization of society and iron cage that ritzer proposed the idea of mcdonaldization of society. The mcdonaldization of society george ritzer the success of fast food chains is used by ritzer as a metaphor for some general trends characterizing contemporary american society. Ritzer 1996 believes that what mcdonalds represents in the modern food industry can be applied, to all. Synonyms for merge at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. One of the most noteworthy and popular sociology books of all time, the mcdonaldization of society demonstrates the power of the sociological imagination to todays readers in a way that few books have been able to do.
The mcdonaldization of society, revised new century edition, discusses how mcdonaldization and the broader process of globalization in a new chapter 8 are spreading more widely and more deeply into various social institutions such as education, medicine, the criminal justice system, and more. Into the digital age george ritzer building on the argument that the fast food restaurant has become the model for the rationalization process today, this book links theory to contemporary life in a globalized world and resonates with students in a way that few other books do. George ritzer the mcdonaldization of society learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. As one of the most eyeopening and popular sociology books of all time, the mcdonaldization of society 6 demonstrates the power of the sociological imagination to today. Ritzer extends webers analysis to a wealth of phenomena, demonstrating that the principles of mcdonaldization are restructuring a vast. The process of mcdonaldization can be summarized as the way in which the principles of the fastfood restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of recent. I f i was to begin a book like this today, rather than in the early 1980s when my first essay on mcdonaldization was published, there would be good reasons to at least consider titling it the starbuckization of society. According to george ritzer, in his book the mcdonalization of society, he believes that mcdonalization is the process by which the principles of the fast. Mcdonalds is the basis of one of the most influential developments in con.
The mcdonaldization of society george ritzer details. Some mcdonaldized institutions combine the emphases on time and money. The mcdonaldization of society ritzer 1983 journal. Mcdonaldization open education sociology dictionary. The mcdonaldization of society sage publications inc. Bauman contends that the holocaust may serve as a paradigm of modern bureaucratic rationality. Canada has a chain of coffee shops, tim hortons recently merged. Conflict and change and sociological theory sociology. Some mcdonaldized institutions have come to combine the. By linking theory to 21st century culture, this book resonates with students in a way that few other books do, opening their eyes to many current issues, especially in consumption and globalization. Overall the mcdonaldization of society is a book i would recommend to read, but be prepared of what you are about to embark upon. The reader includes a wide array of sources, from journal articles, to essays from edited books, to newspaper and magazine articles. But even kroc could not have anticipated the astounding impact of his creation.
Disneyization is depicted as a process by which the principles of the disney theme parks dominate more and more sectors of society. He explains it occurs when a culture possesses the characteristics of a fastfood. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. An investigation into the changing character of contemporary social life by george ritzer. His ideas are essentially based around the fact that our society in its modern age works a lot like a fastfood restaurant, and the types of things that occur in these fastfood restaurants can be applied to almost anything.
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