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Globalization is not a new concept, but has a history that stretches thousands of years, starting from the second half of the 20th century when trade wall was pulled down, and eventually developing into the global interconnected societies of today. Generally, according to Globalization101.org, globalization is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations. With the rapid development of globalization, it’s common to see that people everywhere are drinking Starbucks, eating McDonald’s, and watching Hollywood movies. Globalization, in brief, makes the whole world a small village. Although some people argue that globalization contributes to cultural diversity, there are three reasons why a global monoculture is a more widespread consequence of globalization. …show more content…
The term“McDonalization” is invented by the sociologist George Ritzer(cited in, p180), indicating the power of the spreading trend of America culture. In the book The McDonaldization of Society, Ritzer argues that fast food restaurants are becoming dominated and have profoundly affected other sectors not only in America but also in the rest of the world. Showing from the statistics, McDonald’s has expanded to over 31,000 restaurants worldwide within the last fifty years (N.E. Dollahite & J. Haun, p180). In the big cities of a country, McDonald’s is everywhere: on the main streets, in the shopping centers, around tourist attractions. McDonald’s is so popular that in China, take a simple example, it’s not surprising to see a 5-year-old child clearly knows the menu of McDonald’s and is addicted to French fries and hamburgers. Many of them even view their trips to McDonald’s as the rewards from their parents for good
In today’s world, technology and current norms drive a large portion of everyday life that the vocabulary becomes a common universal language. For example, if you don’t know or understand something, just “google” or ask “siri” about it, write a “blog” about a recent experience, or witnessed the latest “post” that has received over 1.6K “likes”. George Ritzer describes the same thing with the fast food restaurant McDonald’s in his video “The McDonaldization of Society”. He defines McDonaldization as the process by which principles of the fast food restaurant have begun to overflow and dominate all aspects of our world.
The New York Times bestseller Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal is one of the most riveting books to come out about fast food restaurants to date (Schlosser, 2004). Fast food consumption has become a way of life for many in the United States as well as many other countries in the world. The author Eric Schlosser an investigative reporter whose impeccable researching and bold interviewing captures the true essence of the immense impact that fast food restaurants are having in America (2004). Beginning with McDonald’s, the first fast food restaurant, which opened on April 15, 1955 in Des Plaines, Illinois to current trends of making fast food a global realization McDonald’s has paved the way for many fast food restaurants following the same basic ideal that is tasty foods served fast at a minimal cost (2011). Schlosser explains how fast food restaurants have gained substantial market share of the consumers; he also shows that by marketing to children and offering less unhealthful fare, that are purchased from mega-companies which are often camouflaged with added ingredients and cooked unhealthful ways, that these companies are indeed causing irreparable harm to our country (2004).
The author introduces the concept of the "new means of consumption" to illustrate the ways in which not only business, but cultural, practices are threatened by McDonaldization. Defined as "those things owned by capitalists and rendered by them as necessary to customers in order for them to consume" (91), examples of the new means of consumption include fast-food restaurants, credit cards, mega-malls, home shopping television networks, and cybermalls. The critical point for the author is that each changes the ways individuals consume. For example, the exportation of fast-food restaurants and American eating habits, with their emphasis on food as something to be consumed as quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively as possible, alters the way people eat and, thereby, "poses a profound threat to the entire cultural complex of many societies" (8).
Globalization is the process of people of different cultures or countries integrating through interacting through trade or the use of social media. In “Point: Globalization Provides a Better Life for All” By Jennifer Graham, she provides a valid point of view of how globalization has benefited society. “Globalization enriches the human experience through increased cultural and economic integration, which promotes diversity by opening society to new technology, communication and ideas...Moreover, globalization helps to break down discrimination against people on the basis of religious beliefs or race” (Para, 11,13). Globalization has an impact on my lifestyle because I am currently surrounded by technology and different cultural food. With globalization I have access to different foods that I would normally never get to try, also technology has allowed me to gain knowledge about different culture I would normally not know. This results in me being more informed and benefited about the world as a whole because of globalization bringing the different culture of the world so much closer
Globalization is the process of people of different cultures or countries integrating through interacting through trade or the use of social media. In “Point: Globalization Provides a Better Life for All” By Jennifer Graham, she provides a valid point of view of how globalization has benefited society. “Globalization enriches the human experience through increased cultural and economic integration, which promotes diversity by opening society to new technology, communication and ideas...Moreover, globalization helps to break down discrimination against people on the basis of religious beliefs or race” (Para, 11,13). Globalization has an impact on my lifestyle because I am currently surrounded by technology and different cultural food. With globalization I have access to different foods that i would normally never get to try, also technology has allowed me to gain knowledge about different culture I would normally not know, this results in me being more informed and benefited because of globalization bringing the different culture of the world so much closer
sociologist George Ritzer argues that the relationship between McDonald’s and our society runs even deeper. Beyond its commercial propaganda and symbolism, Ritzer says, McDonald’s is a potent manifestation of the rational processes that define modern society.
A world without the Big Mac, Happy Meals, Chicken McNuggets, and the phrase “I’m lovin’ it,” is almost inconceivable. People around the globe have become accustomed to the high gleaming golden arches that make up the famous emblem for McDonald’s. McDonald’s has grasped the concept that culture flows from power. In this case, the American culture flows through the veins of this fast-food giant and the more that is supplied, the greater the demand. It is no secret that McDonald’s has become one of the world’s largest fast-food retailers. It has become a well known icon that has played a huge part in globalization, with chains located in many different countries… transforming the meaning of fast-food all around the world.
After reading “McDonaldization of Society” I began to question the way our world works. George Ritzer and Max Weber are very intellectual and think way outside the box, and by coming up with these theories they have made it easier to identify the problems with our society. Should food be as easy to access via drive-throughs? This book remained unbiased throughout the whole read and provided facts about every-day living. Ritzer provided a commentary on the aspects of society that humans often do not think about questioning, such as the way food can be put out within two minutes in order to maintain customer satisfaction. This is not an opinion, but rather, it is fact. Businesses that follow the idea of McDonaldization are only destroying the aspects of life that make life liveable. I would recommend this book to anybody that is trying to expand their knowledge about living and how to get the most out of their lives. I would encourage everyone to put an end to the McDonaldization of civil society by going to the grocery store and spending an extra penny in order to prepare hardier, healthier meals that are made of ingredients other than highly processed foods. Afterall, living is more enjoyable when one is energetic and fit rather than stuffed and feeling lazy because they ordered a factory-packaged, frozen, then quickly grilled Big Mac off a
In our present day society, patterns and innovation turn out to be such a huge piece of regular day to day existence that individuals begin to utilize them as verbs and modifiers. George Ritzer fundamentally did likewise with the fast food eatery McDonald's in his book, The McDonaldization of Society. He characterizes McDonaldization as the procedure by which standards of fast food places have come to command basically every part of society. McDonald's and other fast food eateries offer a contrasting option to work escalated, home-cooked suppers that have been appealing to occupied families. Accommodation and moderateness are qualities and comparable standards are turning out to be progressively imperative in all parts of our present day society.
Ritzer, George. The McDonaldization of Society. Revised New Century Edition. California: Pine Forge Press, 2004.
What is McDonaldization and how has it manifest our society? To understand the theory of McDonaldization, it is important to understand rationalization inside out. The modern fast-food chain is the perfect examples of rationalization because they're everywhere. And we can find similar fast-food restaurant chain with their logo and appealing characteristic like its quick process, being cheap, and the food packaging design. To make it simple Rationalization is the routine procedures and the elimination of any irrational domain like traditions, values, and emotions.
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.
Is Mcdonaldization Inevitable? George Ritzer’s, Mcdonaldization of Society, is a critical analysis of the impact on social structural change on human interaction and identity. According to Ritzer, Mcdonaldization “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 rest of the world” (Ritzer, 1). Ritzer focuses on four foundations of Mcdonaldization: efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. These are the commandments of any rationalized corporation. However, they are not carried out from the point of view of the consumer. Efficiency, for example, may entail the placing of great inconveniences upon a consumer for the sake of efficient management. Calculability may involve hiding certain information from the consumer. Predictability and control may involve a company's ability to predict and control consumer behavior, not the consumer's ability to predict what kind of product or control what kind of service he gets. Ritzer calls such breakdowns "the irrationality of rationalization." Ritzer points out the irrationality of rationality, as all of the supposed benefits of Mcdonaldized systems backfire: waiting in long lines, suspect quality, little or no customer service, little or no customer service, the illusion of large quantities for low prices, and severely limited selection of choice. Throughout Mcdonaldization of Society, Ritzer describes Mcdonaldization as largely negative and often destructive. While Mcdonaldization is rapidly taking over American society and spreading to the rest of the globe, it is not something unjustly imposed on the American people. The consumerist culture of America has groomed the public to seek efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. These principles grow in importance and value in contemporary America. Even when given the choice to avoid a Mcdonaldized establishment or product, people will flock to it. I agree with Ritzer’s analysis of a Mcdonaldized society, but I feel that Ritzer has failed to provide any real solutions to the Mcdonaldization process. I will support Ritzer’s analysis of the Mcdonaldization process, but also show that it is inevitable and essential in the American society to have a rationalized system. Ritzer stresses that “Mcdonaldization” does not just refer to robotlike assemb...
Globalization is the connection of different parts of the world. Globalization results in the expansion of international, cultural, economic, and political activities. As people, ideas, knowledge, and goods move easily around the globe, the experiences of people around the world become more similar. (“Definition of Globalization“, n.d., ¶ 1)
Globalization’s history is extremely diversified and began during the beginning of civilization. Now we live in a world that is constantly evolving, demanding people to use resources in locations that are very difficult to obtain certain resources. This could make it completely impossible to operate in these specific parts of the world. However, globalization allows people across the world to acquire much needed resources. Globalization creates the opportunity for businesses to take advantage and exploit the ability to take part of their business to a different country. Nevertheless, globalization is part of today’s society and will be involved in virtually all situations.