Sociology Reading and Small-scale research. -The McDonaldization of Society

    In 1993, George Ritzer released a book called The McDonaldization of society. This book indrocuded the concept of "McDonaldization". McDonaldization is a concept that occurs when everything in society adapts to have the same characterization as fast food chains. These characteristics are calculability, predictability,  efficiency, standardization, and control. Calculability is "a focus on quantifiable objectives (counting things) rather than subjective ones (evaluation of quality)." Predictability and standardization are found in "repetitive and routinized production or service delivery processes and in the consistent output of products or experiences that are identical or close to it (predictability of the consumer experience)." Efficiency is a "managerial focus on minimizing the time required to complete individual tasks as well as that required to complete the whole operation or process of production and distribution." And finall, control within McDonaldization is "wielded by the management to ensure that workers appear and act the same on a moment-to-moment and daily basis. It also refers to the use of robots and technology to reduce or replace human employees wherever possible." Ritzer says that McDonaldization does not only effect production of consumer goods, but it also effects aspects of peoples social lives. He says that it effects our values, goals, and world-views. Sociologist also recognize that "McDonaldization is a global phenomenon, driven by Western corporations, the economic power and cultural dominance of the West, and as such it leads to a global homogenization of economic and social life." McDonaldization also goes into the consumer experince. If you have ever checked yourself out o a grocery store, or built your own furniture from IKEA, Then you have experienced McDonaldization first hand. 


The article that I used: https://www.thoughtco.com/mcdonaldization-of-society-3026751


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