The McDonaldization Thesis: Explorations and Extensions [Hardcover]

George Ritzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 31, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0761955399 | ISBN-13: 978-0761955399 | Edition: 1

In this major new book, the author of the bestselling McDonaldization of Society provides an exploration of one of the most innovative and imaginative sociological theses of the last decade of the twentieth century - `McDonaldization'.

Part One centres on a discussion of Karl Mannheim's theory of rationalization. The author also assesses the degree to which sociology in general and sociological theory in particular have been `McDonaldized'. The second part demonstrates the empirical reach of the `McDonaldization' process with discussions on work, credit and globalization. Part Three moves beyond `McDonaldization' to the worlds of `new means of consumption' and the postmodern perspectives that best illuminate them. The author

Editorial Reviews

Review

`Ritzer here revisits and extends the ground-breaking theory he first fully expounded in 1993 in The McDonaldisation of Society, since when he has published a number of papers which take the thesis further and on which this book builds....

This is exciting, readable, provocative modern sociology that sets out to challenge the dominant trends in the construction of our brave new global world....

His work constitutes a serious academic challenge from within the very heartland of McDonaldisation and I highly recommend it to those who want to gain a perspective on post-modern society (and

sociology)' - Self & Society

`The new book will underline the importance and usefulness of the concept of McDonaldization and I fully expect that it will become a standard topic for years to come.. Fascinating, it will make an ideal focus for lectures, seminars and so on' - Alan Bryman, Loughborough University

``McDonaldization' I came to appreciate long ago - it is by now a household term!' Professor Zygmunt Bauman, Department of Sociology, University of Leeds.

About the Author

George Ritzer is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, where he has also been a Distinguished Scholar-Teacher and won a Teaching Excellence Award. He was awarded the 2000 distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award by the American Sociological Association and an honorary doctorate from LaTrobe University in australia. He is best-known for The McDonaldization of Society (translated into over a dozen languages) and McDonaldization: The Reader 3 as well as several related books, including expressing America: A Critique of the Global Credit Card Society, Enchanting a Disenchanted World 3, The Globalization of Nothing 2, Globalization: A Basic Text, and The Outsourcing of Everything (forthcoming, with Craig Lair). He is the Editor of the Encyclopedia of Social Theory (2 vols.), the Encyclopedia of Sociology (11 vols.), is currently editing the Encyclopedia of Globalization (5 vols.), and is Founding Editor of the Journal of Consumer Culture.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd; 1 edition (December 31, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761955399
• ISBN-13: 978-0761955399
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,111,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Applying the thesis to actual life, January 22, 2001

By 

Geoff Matthews (West Jordan, utah USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The McDonaldization Thesis: Explorations and Extensions (Hardcover)

Ritzer has taken his popular McDonaldization theory and applied it to a host of specific topics, such as the university (and sociology in particular), the work force, leisure and other areas of life. He builds not just on his work but also on those who have taken his theory and built on it, as well as some of the masters in the social theory realm. For those who are interested in this theory, this is an invaluable addition to the body of work.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, to read for all people!, April 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The McDonaldization Thesis: Explorations and Extensions (Hardcover)

As a student in Norway, going on the course sociology, this was a great book to read. I`m going to have a review of this book at my course, in front of my professor , and the rest of my class. And i will only say good things about that book. The book contains good things about Max Weber, Karl Mannheim.

A another thing whit this book, is that Georg Ritzer is using easy words, good langue and its easy to understand.

I requment this book to all, either you are a student in sociology, or regular student. Even so if you arent a student, it is a good book to read,for to understand what is the McDonaldization thesis.

Gaute Aadnesen

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Ideas, January 20, 1999

By 

"qq23" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The McDonaldization Thesis: Explorations and Extensions (Hardcover)

This book contains a set of very nice ideas of the recent trends in the consumption of the American society. Very good study was done on the subject. I understand that this is not the first book on the subject by the authors, which makes it hard to comprehend a large number of references to the previous works. Also, the language of the book is way too "scientified".