To what extent is ‘Mcdonaldization’ a threat to local and national cultures in the era of globalisation?
The term Mcdonaldization was first used by sociologist George Ritzer in his book the Mcdonaldization of Society (1993). In his book, Ritzer reconceptualises the idea of rationalisation, using the fast food restaurant Mcdonalds as a model to illustrate how society has become rationalised; moving from traditional thought, emotions and values to rational modes of thought that favour efficiency, predictability and the use of non-human technology for labour instead of human workers (RITZER, 1993). Ritzer also claimed that this rationalisation was becoming inherent to society, more prevalent in the era of globalisation, dominating “more and more …show more content…
The capitalist system spreads to all corners of the globe, thereby influencing national and local cultures. In some ways this perspective is already becoming reality, as there are institutions such as the World Bank and World Trade Organisation that in some ways override the traditional power system of cultures. It could be argued that this is a Mcdonaldization of different countries’ economies. Whilst this global influence spreads a rational, efficient model, one that provides a safer, stable economy that protects other country’s from experiencing the adverse effects of another country’s poor economy it could also be argued that this method erodes self-determination and discourages autonomy. Held and McGrew also predict further interdependence of cultures international or a “global popular culture”.(HELD et al 2003) In modern society this global culture is furthered through inventions such as the internet and television, information from one of the end of the world instantaneously accessible at the other. This creates a breakdown of cultural barriers which has both positive and negative consequences. Although this facilitates the sharing of cultures and knowledge, it is easier for smaller cultures and viewpoints to be neglected or overlooked by louder more dominant influences, such as western ones, and misinformation and bias are shared all over the world just as
The term Mcdonaldization was first used by sociologist George Ritzer in his book the Mcdonaldization of Society (1993). In his book, Ritzer reconceptualises the idea of rationalisation, using the fast food restaurant Mcdonalds as a model to illustrate how society has become rationalised; moving from traditional thought, emotions and values to rational modes of thought that favour efficiency, predictability and the use of non-human technology for labour instead of human workers (RITZER, 1993). Ritzer also claimed that this rationalisation was becoming inherent to society, more prevalent in the era of globalisation, dominating “more and more …show more content…
The capitalist system spreads to all corners of the globe, thereby influencing national and local cultures. In some ways this perspective is already becoming reality, as there are institutions such as the World Bank and World Trade Organisation that in some ways override the traditional power system of cultures. It could be argued that this is a Mcdonaldization of different countries’ economies. Whilst this global influence spreads a rational, efficient model, one that provides a safer, stable economy that protects other country’s from experiencing the adverse effects of another country’s poor economy it could also be argued that this method erodes self-determination and discourages autonomy. Held and McGrew also predict further interdependence of cultures international or a “global popular culture”.(HELD et al 2003) In modern society this global culture is furthered through inventions such as the internet and television, information from one of the end of the world instantaneously accessible at the other. This creates a breakdown of cultural barriers which has both positive and negative consequences. Although this facilitates the sharing of cultures and knowledge, it is easier for smaller cultures and viewpoints to be neglected or overlooked by louder more dominant influences, such as western ones, and misinformation and bias are shared all over the world just as