McDonaldization :: essays research papers

sociologist George Ritzer argues that the relationship between McDonalds and our society runs even deeper. Beyond its commercial propaganda and symbolism, Ritzer says, McDonalds is a blind drunk manifestation of the rational processes that define modern society.Ritzer warns that the spread of such "rationalized systems" has had unlogical consequences, not least of which is the "disenchantment of the world," a situation in which ground takes over, leaving no room for the mysterious, unpredictable qualities that make us human.Ritzers scholarly work has been heavily influenced by German sociologist Max weber, who fe ared that bureaucracy would spread until society became a seamless web of rationalized institutions from which there would be no escape. At the time when Weber wrote, in the early 20th century, totalitarianism was the biggest menace to individual freedom. In the 1980s, Ritzer thought to apply Webers theories about rational systems to a very different t hreat the proliferation of fast-food chains. When Ritzer began writing and talking about the dangers of "McDonaldization," he struck a substance some agreed with him, but many others rushed to defend the pop-culture institution. He went on to write a social critique on the subject, applying sociological theories to the culture in a way that lay readers would understand. The McDonaldization of Society (Pine act upon/Sage Publications) was successful enough that he wrote several follow-ups, including The McDonaldization Thesis and captivating a Disenchanted World (both Sage Publications). Ritzers most late(a) book is Explorations in the Sociology of Consumption Fast Food, Credit Cards, and Casinos (Sage Ltd.). In sum to writing about sociology for a general audience, he teaches at the University of Maryland, where he is a distinguished professor with numerous academic awards and volumes to his credit. We met for this interview on a beautiful fall day at Ritzers phratry in Maryland. A breeze blew outside, picking up red and yellow-bellied leaves and twirling them across the grass while we sat inside discussing the disenchantment of the world.Jensen What is "McDonaldization"?Ritzer Its the process by which the principles of the fast-food industry -- efficiency, predictability, calculability, and control through technology -- are being applied to much and more sectors of society in more and more parts of the world.Predictability An Egg McMuffin in New York will be the same as an Egg McMuffin in Chicago. Customers can expect no surprises, neither pleasant nor unpleasant. Workers, too, be devote in predictable ways. Those who interact with customers have actual scripts to follow.