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The McDonaldization of Society
Into the Digital Age
Ninth Edition (International Student Edition)
- George Ritzer - University of Maryland, USA
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Social Theory
Social Theory
March 2018 | 272 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
The McDonaldization of Society links classical sociological theory to many aspects of contemporary life in a globalized world. Max Weber's rationalization thesis is updated and applied to the late 20th and early 21st century: where Weber focused on bureaucracies as the "iron cages" of rationalization in his time, the central premise of McDonaldization is that the fast food restaurant has become the model for the rationalization process today.
The book examines ways in which fast food businesses have created a system of operation based on efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control; and how the same principles have been applied to other settings and contexts as diverse as motel chains, "big box" stores, churches, child care centers, college rankings, health care providers, the Internet, and political participation. The author also looks at attempts to resist and reverse the effects of McDonalization, a term which has become part of the lexicon of contemporary sociological theory.
The book examines ways in which fast food businesses have created a system of operation based on efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control; and how the same principles have been applied to other settings and contexts as diverse as motel chains, "big box" stores, churches, child care centers, college rankings, health care providers, the Internet, and political participation. The author also looks at attempts to resist and reverse the effects of McDonalization, a term which has become part of the lexicon of contemporary sociological theory.
Chapter 1. Introduction
| McDonaldization: The Basic Principles |
| The Advantages of McDonaldization |
| A Critique of McDonaldization: The Irrationality of Rationality |
| McDonald's: Creating the "Fast-Food Factory" |
| McDonald's and Other Brick-And-Mortar Consumption Sites |
| The Long Arm of McDonaldization |
| McDonald's as an American and a Global Icon |
| A Look Ahead |
Chapter 2. McDonaldization: Past and Present
| Thinking about the Brick-And-Mortar "Solids", Digital "Liquids", and the Augmented Reality of "Bricks-and-Clicks" |
| Key Predecessors |
| McDonaldization and Consumption Today |
| Comparing McDonald's, Wal-Mart and Amazon.com |
Chapter 3. Efficiency: Consumers 1
| Efficiency: Drive-Throughs and Finger Foods |
| Calculability: Big Macs, Algorithms and Big Data |
Chapter 4. Predictability and Control: Consumers 2
| Predictability: It Never Rains on Those Little Houses on the Hillside |
| Control: Human and Nonhuman Robots |
Chapter 5. Efficiency and Calculability: McJobs and Other McDonaldized Occupations 1
| McJobs and the Dimensions of McDonaldization |
| Efficiency: It's a Fetish |
| Calculability: Zeal for Speed |
Chapter 6. Predictability and Control: McJobs and Other Mcdonaldized Occupations 2
| Predictability: Scripting and Controlling Employees |
| Control: Even Pilots Aren't in Control |
Chapter 7. The Irrationality of Rationality: Traffic James on Those "Happy Trails"
| Inefficiency: Long Lines at Checkout |
| High Cost: Better off at Home |
| False Friendliness: "Hi, George" and Emojis |
| Disenchantment: Where's the Magic? |
| Health and Environmental Hazards: A Day's Calories in One Fast-Food Meal |
| Homogenization: It's No Different in Paris |
| Dehumanization: Getting Hosed at "Troff 'n' Brew" |
| Dealing With Irrationality: Of Velvet, Rubber, of Iron Cages? |
| Conclusion |
Supplements
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