The McDonaldization of Society: New Century Edition [Paperback]

"One of the most important and influential works of the last half of this century. . . . Ritzer was both an analyst and a prophet in this classic work, which is as relevant today as it was a decade ago."  

(Jonathan H. Turner )

"Every time I have used McDonaldization, class meetings have been characterized by active discussions in which virtually all students participate." 

(Simon Cordery )

"Most undergraduate students today have never lived in an un-McDonald world, and because this book speaks to them, it sparks lively class discussion. This new edition is finely updated, and even more interesting, as it demonstrates the globalization of McDonaldization and the various different cultures individually adapt to it." 

(Nathan W. Pino )

"Ritzer’s texts is in a class by itself. I can’t think of another as insightful and enjoyable." 

(James D. Cover )

One of the most noteworthy and popular sociology books of all time, The McDonaldization of Society demonstrates the power of the sociological imagination to today's readers in a way that few books have been able to do. It is ideal for use in a wide range of undergraduate courses and will be of equal value to anyone interested in social criticism. This book links a large number of social phenomena to McDonaldization, some which are directly affected by the principles of the fast-food restaurant and others where the effect is more indirect.

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.