How Does Mcdonaldization Affect Society

The McDonaldization of Society In a world fixated on speed and efficiency, the McDonaldization system has provided just that. In essence, McDonaldization is the process of rationalization. According to Ritzer, the four basic dimensions of McDonaldization are: efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. Originally focused in one establishment, the McDonald’s System has ventured beyond its origins and into society. Although the process of McDonaldization portrays simplicity, there are many negative aspects to it. While it may appear positive by making products and processes more efficient for the consumers, a negative effect is inflicted upon the producers. For the consumers, McDonaldization offers efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. As for efficiency, Twigg asserts that “ . . . the McDonald’s system offers us the optimum method for getting from one point to

An example Ritzer uses is, “We know that the Egg McMuffin we eat in New York will be identical to those we have eaten in Chicago and Los Angeles . . . There is great comfort in knowing that McDonald’s offers no surprises. (Ritzer 467) Basically, we always know what we are getting and there should be no expected change. Predictability is preferred by the people because they don’t need to worry about change and receiving something that they don’t what or didn’t expect. Lastly, control is exerted over human beings through McDonaldization. Establishments substitute human labor with non-human labor through automation. An example of the automation would be cash registers with pictures and drink dispensers that automatically fill cups. While it may seem like control is only exercised upon the workers, it is also upon the customers. Those who work in certain establishments, specifically McDonalds, are trained to do a limited number of things in a specific fashion. The customers are also controlled in which they have limited menus, few