The Mcdonaldization of Society

"The Mcdonaldization of Society" is a writing by sociologist and University of Maryland proffessor George Ritzer. Ritzer feeds off of the ideas of German political economist Max Weber (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/weber/#IroCagValFra). He explains the process of "rationalization" that is revolutionizing the way Americans eat today. He breaks his theory into six categories. He begins with efficiency, explaining that our society is based on finding the "best or optimum means to any given end." This is evident in the increasing popularity of fast food and microwaveable meals. Ritzer also explains that our society looks for predictability. People like to be able to eat the exact same food (for example, a Mcdonald's burger) across the country and now the world. He also argues that societal food choices show a bigger emphasis on quantity rather than quantity. As an example he points out that Mcdonald's markets their premier burger as the "Big" Mac rather than something like the "Good" Mac. The food industry is also increasingly moving toward the use of technology and computers in place of people. Ritzer mentions cash registers with products and prices built and cashiers only having to press buttons as an example of this movement. All of these ideas collectivel constitute what Ritzer calls the "Mcdonaldization" of our society.

I think Ritzer makes a lot of interesting points in this piece and presents his ideas in an interesting way. It seems from many of his examples that Mcdonaldization is leading us toward a culture where various aspects of our society are becoming more and more "man-made" or artificial. Despite the impeding societal issues however, we continue to implement technology and move in the direction of Mcdonaldization. This is because this process is rational, hence the term "rationalization". increasing efficiency and implementing technology gives people what they want. However, it comes with drawbacks leading to increasing dehumanization of our society. So can we reach a balance? Will we go to far? Or have we already gone too far?

Discussion Questions

1) I what ways do we ourselves contribute to the Mcdonaldization of our society?

2) Where do we draw the line between rationality and irrationality?