...religion, the media, the military, etc. that he or she thinks has become McDonalized. The paper should discuss 1) the McDonaldization of the institution and 2) research and discuss efforts that are being undertaken to counter or resist the trend. Students should look for instance, for alternative lifestyles, alternative forms of organization, or social movements that address the issue. They will decide which efforts are most promising or realistic in resisting McDonaldization. Their analysis should emphasize our course core value of Community. What is McDonalization? McDonaldization was originated from the author American sociologist George Ritzer. He uses McDonalization to define the homogenous sociological result that is happening to our culture. He expresses McDonaldization as the development by which the values of the fast-food restaurant such as McDonalds, are approaching to rule new and diverse divisions of American society, and as well as the rest of the world. The hamburgers here in the United States are the same all over the world. McDonaldization can be looked, in a way, in which the hamburger chain makes food for ingestion is taken as an ideal of Max Weber's philosophy of the reasoning of the modern world. McDonaldization is the development of rationalization. Rationalization is a sociological word that means the replacement of reasonably reliable rules for old-style or inconsistent rules. Companies use the four methods of McDonaldization such as efficiency, calculability...
Words: 1653 - Pages: 7
...to McDonaldization R ay Kroc (1902–1984), the genius behind the franchising of McDonald’s restaurants, was a man with big ideas and grand ambitions. But even Kroc could not have anticipated the astounding impact of his creation. McDonald’s is the basis of one of the most influential developments in contemporary society. Its reverberations extend far beyond its point of origin in the United States and in the fast-food business. It has influenced a wide range of undertakings, indeed the way of life, of a significant portion of the world. And having rebounded from some well-publicized economic difficulties, that impact is likely to expand at an accelerating rate in the early 21st century.1* However, this is not a book about McDonald’s, or even about the fastfood business,2 although both will be discussed frequently throughout these pages. I devote all this attention to McDonald’s (as well as to the industry of which it is a part and that it played such a key role in spawning) because it serves here as the major example of, and the paradigm for, a wide-ranging process I call McDonaldization3—that is, 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 of the rest of the world.4 * Notes may be found at the back of the book, beginning on page 233. 1 01-Ritzer5-45349.qxd 8/7/2007 1:07 PM Page 2 2——THE M C DONALDIZATION OF SOCIETY 5 McDonaldization has shown...
Words: 9634 - Pages: 39
...November 17, 2010 SOCI 202 (LW): Canadian Families: Past, Present, and Future Danita Kagan Research/Analytical Review Paper McDonaldization Research Paper In a world where society is so influenced by technological advancements and materialistic possessions and where most people are often inclined to decide the way the live their lives, purchase items and what values and beliefs they follow based on brands, brand characteristics and brand values. We see many North Americans follow a way of life based on brands they connect with such as those who are Nike lovers; most often turn into what the brand stands for. They have a love for athletics, they always must show high performance in more than just sports and always exert a sense of authenticity in their lifestyle, but most importantly they live their lives in a “just do it” mentality. Yet even further social institutions that affiliate around the Nike lifestyle tend to have this same sense of rationalization. However, Nike is a brand that has had a small influence on those who are the brands consumer, when compared to some larger more influential brands. Yet there is one brand, with high global reach that triumphs all brands. This brand is the largest fast-food chain worldwide and the most influential brand in North Americans particularly; this brand is of course McDonalds. In The McDonaldization Thesis: Is Expansion Inevitable written by George Ritzer, Ritzer reveals that on a global scale the brand personality and characteristics...
Words: 5455 - Pages: 22
...3 Types of Authority • Charismatic Authority ❑ Those in authority possess charisma ❑ No fixed hierarchy of officials ❑ No legal rules governing organization ❑ Short-lived: dependent upon personality of leader. Examples: Jesus’s disciples Religious cults ❑ After leader’s death the movement must become ‘routinized’ or collapse traditional or bureaucratic control/authority. • Traditional Authority Two forms a) Household – relatives, favourites and servants (e.g. ‘Biraderi’ in Pakistan. ‘Family’ in Sicily). b) Vassals – feudal lords who swear loyalty to monarch and hold land in exchange for military service. In both cases social actions are based upon custom/ingrained habit. Bureaucractic Authority • Weber constructed an ‘ideal type’ of bureaucratic organization. He argued that bureaucracies were increasingly moving towards this ‘pure’ type. • The ideal type of bureaucracy contains these elements ❑ Specialization: Each administrative official has a clearly defined area of responsibility and competence: ‘The regular activities required for the purposes of the organization are distributed in a fixed way of official duties’. ❑ Sub-division: Complex tasks are broken down into manageable parts: state administration divided into various departments – social security...
Words: 1122 - Pages: 5
...footage of a unique event or an action in the world is shared in cyberspace for everyone to see; these are small affects of globalization in life. Globalization integrates economy and cultures of different regions of the world through trading, telecommunication, technology, human migration, and capital flows. Incentive of the integration may be economic, political, cultural, technological or humanitarian. George Ritzer’s invented term, McDonaldization, is a subset of the globalization phenomenon. Ritzer compares globalization with characteristic of a fast-food restaurant. The characteristic includes measuring efficiency by pace of serving customers, which means the fastest worker is the efficient one; getting a large amount of food in a very low price; receiving constant and predictable service from distinctively similar workers. Ritzer believes the fast-food characteristic is dominating different sectors of American society and the entire world. In fact, this is the irresistible effect of globalization. The phenomenon, which Ritzer calls McDonaldization, is neither new nor destructive; it is just how firms coexist in free comparative market. Accepting globalization instead of resisting it, would help to promote global prosperity. Educating different aspects and strength points of globalization and its impacts on economy, culture and politic would ease the acceptance. Globalization impacts the world economy with diverse effects. Roger A. Arnold, in his book Economics states that...
Words: 2005 - Pages: 9
...American Exceptionalism is the notion that the United States of America is duly endowed with properties unique to it because of the formal declaration to the pursuit of liberty. This idea prescribes the United States with the right of “divine sanction or moral obligation,” to proffer throughout the world a civilizing, democratizing mission – achievable through violence, if necessary (Zinn, 2005). American Exceptionalism works through Manifest Destiny, the doctrine first described by O’Sullivan which justified the expansion of the United States government over the whole North American continent as divine destiny (O’ Sullivan, 1945). Aside from occupation of land, Americans were to expand the social, political, and economic agendas of the United States (O’Sullivan, 1945). This process is often called Westward Expansion because from the eastern shores of the central North American continent “pioneers” proved their grit and forged west. Land hunger drove the “great frontier model” which was backed by belief that there was an emptiness, an unoccupied void of land ready for those willing to risk their lives on the frontier (Pickens, 409). Land, resources, and ideas about exceptionalism bound together in the minds of imperial Americans searching for political and economic independence and equality; this was especially apparent in the men of the time (Pickens, 411). The concept of a new frontier, driven by a yearning for material improvement...
Words: 632 - Pages: 3
...You would think people would use those terms and make changes with it. They did half of the work already. They even came up with terms to identify, and to put meaning behind social problems that affects the majority of people. Who am I to think change will happen tomorrow or in the next tenth year. I am hopping for way too much, since we became a society of McDonaldization. You can have it your way, even if it kills. Your secret has been televised and we know about the bet you lost and allowed someone like Donald Trump to run. We know our lives are just jokes to you. When you allow someone like Donald Trump to run for the presidency and open his mouth the way that he does, you create more division, I bet that was part of your plan. Institutional racism, is the way you keep individuals in the dark. If institutions like the military, police force, government stays the color that always get the long end of the stick, everything will stay the same. You will build more prisons, privatize them and mis-educate the youth so you can fill your jails with them. Did you have criminals before you build the jails to house them, or did you have jails and wait for crime to happen so you can jail those criminals. Which ever comes first the people is on to...
Words: 708 - Pages: 3
...Contribution and Limitation of Globalization “Globalization refers to a complex of interrelated processes, which have in common the idea that relationships and organizations have increasingly spread across the world, bringing about a growing awareness of the world as a whole” (Fulcher. J. and Scott. J., 2011). I. Contribution of Globalization A) Economic The essential dimension of globalization refers mainly to increase in international integration among trade and market all over the world is mentioned as economic globalization. “One who first commits himself to a theory of globalization is Marx. In so doing he identifies an economic dimension of the process” (Waters. M., 2001). The Idea of replacing national boundaries with global union especially in the case of economy was primarily supported by Marx and the other theorists of twentieth century who were struggling to make the big changes for the world’s future. It can be said that the process of globalization rose after industrial revolution (1757-1800) in Europe. Some examples of development and change from that time at which the process has been extended throughout the world so far are; “from farm to factory, division of labor increase, increase in child labor, new methods of administration, mass production and etc”. Nowadays, through the globalized situation, international trade and the achievement of the free market economy is increasing so that workers, consumers, and companies have the strong possibility to go...
Words: 1741 - Pages: 7
...GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication Globalization Globalization A Basic Text George Ritzer This balanced introduction draws on academic and popular sources to examine the major issues and events in the history of globalization. Globalization: A Basic Text is a substantial introductory textbook, designed to work either on its own or alongside Readings in Globalization. The books are cross-referenced and are both structured around the core concepts of globalization. 2009 • 608 pages • 978-1-4051-3271-8 • paperback www.wiley.com/go/globalization Readings in Globalization Key Readings and Major Debates Edited by George Ritzer and Zeynep Atalay This unique and engaging anthology introduces students to the major concepts of globalization within the context of the key debates and disputes. Readings in Globalization illustrates that major debates in the field are not only useful to examine for their own merit but can extend our knowledge of globalization. The volume explores both the political economy of globalization and the relationship of culture to globalization. The volume is designed so it may be used independently, or alongside George Ritzer’s Globalization: A Basic Text for a complete student resource. 2010 • 560 pages • 978-1-4051-3273-2 • paperback Order together and save! Quote ISBN 978-1-4443-2371-9 GLOBALIZATION THE ESSENTIALS GEORGE RITZER A John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Publication This edition first...
Words: 168078 - Pages: 673
...Globalization Benefits Careers Introduction Nowadays with the developing of technology, people become more and more closely. The activity of people work together in different country is a globalization. Globalization refers to the trend toward countries joining together economically, through education, society and politics, and viewing themselves not only through their national identity but also as part of the world as a whole. Globalization is said to bring people of all nations closer together, especially through a common medium like the economy or the Internet. it is core opinion is make people live as one city. In our world, there are few places a person can’t get to within a day of travel, and few people a person can’t reach via telephone or Internet. Because of modern modes of travel and communication, citizens of a nation are more conscious of the world at large and may be influenced by other cultures in a variety of ways. Time and space matter less, and even language barriers are being overcome as people all over the world communicate through trade, social Internet forums, various media sources, and a variety of other ways. The reason why our world becomes a globalization is that natural resource as the basic elements of the development pattern is shortage and ecological destruction. So human beings in order to maintain their own survival, they seek global cooperation. People want to get more resource to get more profit from other country and they change their...
Words: 2579 - Pages: 11
...Complex Interdependence In 1970s, a new perspective known as transnational relations arose to question realism key assumptions of state as main and the only actor of world politics. This theory gave a new analytical framework to understand the international relations which was contrary to the state centric paradigm of realism. With complex interdependence as its central concept, this theoretical analysis advanced “synthesis of liberal + realist perspectives by constructing a way of looking at world politics and also the idea of institutionalism to foster cooperation”. It is asked how under conditions of complex interdependence world politics would be different than under realist conditions means this analysis ask to see “ what realism overlooked”. The phenomenon of Interdependence is not new; states have always been interdependent on each other for their economic functions and especially for security purposes. We have seen the complicated interdependence among states in the alliance system to achieve their political ends before First World War. The earliest example of interdependence comes from Norman Angell’s “The great illusion (1910) when he said the economic interdependence will minimize the occurrence of war on the basis of cost-benefit analysis.” Countries are dependent on each other for trade and transaction, they interact globally e.g. flow of money, goods, people and messages across international boundaries but all transactions among countries are not characterized by...
Words: 5584 - Pages: 23
...GLOBALIZATION AND IT EFFECTS ON CULTURAL INTEGRATION: THE CASE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC. INTRODUCTION I. AN OVERVIEW. With the growing standards of the world and the existing concepts and complexities in political, economic and socio-cultural ideologies, man has always and continuously pondered over the aspects of his nature. Unity, equality, trade and commerce are at the forefront of man's complexities. With these thoughts in mind, man has moved through history trying to satisfy his desires in relation to others. The advent of the twenty-first century gave birth to the idea of making the world a single village, thus, globalization. Globalization is the most talk-about issues in the 21st century. However, there is the difficulty of the world to come up with a single and uniform definition. This is because, so many people doubt if the happenings in the world today are as a result of globalization. Thus, due to these global differences of what this concept actually is about, globalization has grown to involve aspects not only of economy, but politics and other socio-cultural issues. Globalization affects almost every human being, this is because the process of globalization is said to have expanded almost through out the entire world either through transport, commerce, and communication. In addition, man’s activities on the globe are all located under these sectors. Culture, as a way of living of man, is identified by every one immediately after birth and was often...
Words: 27217 - Pages: 109
...Culture and Globalization Table of Contents PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................................................... 2 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2 GLOBALIZATION VS. LOCAL CULTURES .................................................................................................................................... 3 THE INFLUENCE OF U.S. CORPORATIONS ON LOCAL MORES ................................................................................................... 3 THE DOMINANCE OF THE AMERICAN MARKET .......................................................................................................................... 4 THE INTEGRATION OF CULTURES ............................................................................................................................................ 6 REAFFIRMATION OF LOCAL CULTURE ...................................................................................................................................... 6 A CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS?.................................................................................................................................................. 7 CULTURAL IMPACTS OF GLOBALIZATION ....................................................
Words: 17261 - Pages: 70
...3: Culture While this Hong Kong pedestrian appears not to notice the Nike billboard behind him, featuring NBA star LeBron James wearing the Air Zoom sneaker, the Chinese people certainly did notice. The Oregon-based Nike corporation was forced to pull its “Chamber of Fear” promotion, based on a Bruce Lee movie, after an outraged public objected to the image of a U.S. athlete defeating a kung fu master. In the global marketplace, cultural differences can undermine even the most elaborate promotional campaign. inside Culture and Society Development of Culture around the World Elements of Culture Culture and the Dominant Ideology Case Study: Culture at Wal-Mart Cultural Variation Social Policy and Culture: Bilingualism Boxes Sociology in the Global Community: Life in the Global Village Sociology in the Global Community: Cultural Survival in Brazil Sociology on Campus: A Culture of Cheating? “Nacirema culture is characterized by a highly developed market economy which has evolved in a rich natural habitat. While much of the people's time is devoted to economic pursuits, a large part of the fruits of these labors and a considerable portion of the day are spent in ritual activity. The focus of this activity is the human body, the appearance and health of which loom as a dominant concern in the ethos of the people. While such a concern is certainly not unusual, its ceremonial aspects and associated philosophy are unique. The fundamental belief underlying the whole...
Words: 15791 - Pages: 64
...CHAPTER 4 SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS SUMMARY Culture, a society’s “programming of the mind,” has both a pervasive and changing influence on each national market environment. Global marketers must recognize the influence of culture and be prepared to either respond to it or change it. Human behavior is a function of a person’s own unique personality and that person’s interaction with the collective forces of the particular society and culture in which he or she has lived. In particular, attitudes, values, and beliefs can vary significantly from country to country. Also, differences pertaining to religion, aesthetics, dietary customs, and language and communication can affect local reaction to brands or products as well as the ability of company personnel to function effectively in different cultures. A number of concepts and theoretical frameworks provide insights into these and other cultural issues. Cultures can be classified as high- or low-context; communication and negotiation styles can differ from country to country. Hofstede’s social value typology sheds light on national cultures in terms of power distance, individualism vs. collectivism, masculinity vs. femininity, uncertainty avoidance, and long- versus short-term orientation. By understanding the self-reference criterion, global marketers can overcome the unconscious tendency for perceptual blockage and distortion. Rogers’ classic study on the diffusion of innovations helps explain how products...
Words: 7481 - Pages: 30
