Question

Assignment:

Identify some of the ways that fast food restaurants emphasize efficiency, predictability, calculabilty, and an extreme form of rational action. Do you agree with George Ritzer's theory of the McDonalization of American society? Be sure to substantiate your answer with facts and examples.

Answer 1

McDonaldisation simply means increased efficiency , calculability , predictability and control of each aspects of society.

Efficiency - McDonald's restaurant is highly efficient in transforming a hungry person to full one. Similarly , above mentioned, societal aspects are becoming fast and efficient.

Calculability - One of the basic feature of McDonald's is its focus on quantity rather quality. If a person gets 2 burgers in quick time , he will be more satisfied than if he gets only one better quality burger in same time. Similarly, education and media are becoming oriented towards quantity instead of quality.

Predictability -- McDonald's you eat in San Fransisco or New York , you will get same standards throughout. This is being observed in today's society which may also be termed as standardisation of society.

control -- Restaurants of McDonald's exercise great control over their service delivery and standards of product. Society has also no es towards having greater control through use of technology and science .

Ritzer theory of McDonaldization is successful in explaining many of changing dynamics of society . For example, new fashion trend has come up where the quantity of different dress is more prefered rather than quality. Even if quality is good , people are going for the change of clothes on daily basis .

Social media also provides the best example for McDonaldization as people are making numerous friends who can be contacted in quick time instead of having few quality friends with whom deeper level engagement could be affected.

However , theory of Ritzer is not true universally. Many of features of society such as family relationships are still focusing on quality relationship rather than quantity.Quality Researches have grown exponentially which is manifestation that quality is still an important feature in society.