The McDonaldization of Society

The McDonaldization of Society

The McDonaldization of Society is a 1993 book by sociologist George Ritzer.[1][2]

In the book, Ritzer took central elements of the work of Max Weber, expanded and updated them, and produced a critical analysis of the impact of social structural change on human interaction and identity. The central theme in Weber's analysis of modern society was the process of rationalization; a far reaching process whereby traditional modes of thinking were being replaced by an ends/means analysis concerned with efficiency and formalized social control. For Weber, the archetypal manifestation of this process was the bureaucracy; a large, formal organization characterized by a hierarchical authority structure, well-established division of labor, written rules and regulations, impersonality and a concern for technical competence.

Bureaucratic organizations not only represent the process of rationalization, the structure they impose on human interaction and thinking furthers the process, leading to an increasingly rationalized world. The process affects all aspects of our everyday life. Ritzer suggests that in the later part of the 20th century the socially structured form of the fast-food restaurant has become the organizational force representing and extending the process of rationalization further into the realm of everyday interaction and individual identity. McDonald's serves as the case model of this process in the 1990s. The book introduced the term McDonaldization into learned discourse to describe mind-numbing sameness.[3]

Editions in print

See also

References

  1. ^ Warner, Malcolm. Journal of General Management. Henley-on-Thames: Winter 1993.Vol.19, Iss. 2; pg. 86 (book review)
  2. ^ "The McDonaldization of society;" rev. new century ed. Reference and Research Book News. Portland: May 2004.Vol.19, Iss. 2; pg. n/a (review)
  3. ^ Gilbert, Ellen D. "Fast Food, Fast Track: Immigrants, Big Business, and the American Dream." Library Journal. New York: Apr 15, 2002.Vol.127, Iss. 7; pg. 112

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • McDonaldization — Sociology …   Wikipedia

  • McDonaldization — The author of this term, the American sociologist George Ritzer, defines McDonaldization as ‘the process by which the principles of the fast food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • McDonaldization — noun The process by which institutions in society become standardized and focused on efficiency and predictability …   Wiktionary

  • Barbecue in the United States — In the United States, especially the southeastern region, barbecue (also spelled barbeque or abbreviated BBQ ) refers to a technique of cooking that involves cooking meat for long periods of time at low temperatures over a wood fire; often this… …   Wikipedia

  • 1990s in sociology — The following events related to sociology occurred in the 1990s.1990*Zygmunt Bauman s Thinking Sociologically is published. *James Coleman s Foundations of Social Theory is published. *Troy Duster s Backdoor To Eugenics is published. *Mike… …   Wikipedia

  • George Ritzer — (born 1940) is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park. A largely self taught sociologist, Ritzer is most widely known in the scholarly community for his distinctive contributions to the study of consumption …   Wikipedia

  • McDonaldisation — de la société Types de sociétés (aspects sociologiques) Organisation sociale Société traditionnelle Société moderne Société ouverte Sociétés historiques …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mcdonaldisation De La Société — Types de sociétés (aspects sociologiques) Organisation sociale Société traditionnelle Société moderne Société ouverte Sociétés historiques …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mcdonaldisation de la societe — Mcdonaldisation de la société Types de sociétés (aspects sociologiques) Organisation sociale Société traditionnelle Société moderne Société ouverte Sociétés historiques …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mcdonaldisation de la société — La « McDonaldisation de la société » (en anglais : « McDonaldization » ou « McDonaldisation ») est une expression employée par le sociologue américain George Ritzer dans son livre McDonaldization of Society… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”