Rev. ed. of: The McDonaldization of society 6. c2011.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

1 : An introduction to McDonaldization. McDonald's as an American and a global icon ; The long arm of McDonaldization ; The dimensions of McDonaldization ; A critique of McDonaldization : the irrationality of rationality ; Illustrating the dimensions of McDonaldization : the case of Ikea ; The advantages of McDonaldization ; What isn't McDonaldized? ; A look ahead -- 2 : The past, present, and future of McDonaldization : from the iron cage to the fast-food factory and beyond. Bureaucratization : making life more rational ; The Holocaust : mass-produced death ; Scientific management : finding the one best way ; The assembly line : turning workers into robots ; Levittown : putting up houses, "Boom, boom, boom" ; Shopping centers : malling America ; McDonald's : Creating the "fast-food factory" ; McDonaldization and contemporary social changes -- 3 : Efficiency and calculability. Efficiency : drive-throughs and finger foods ; Calculability : Big Macs and little chips -- 4 : Predictability and control. Predictability : it never rains on those little houses on the hillside ; Control : human and nonhuman robots -- 5 : The irrationality of rationality : traffic jams on those "happy trails". Inefficiency : long lines at the checkout ; High cost : better off at home ; False friendliness : "Hi, George" ; Disenchantment : where's the magic? ; Health and environmental hazards : a day's calories in one fast food meal ; Homogenization : it's no different in Paris ; Dehumanization : getting hosed at "Trough and Brew" -- 6 : Dealing with McDonaldization : a practical guide. Creating "reasonable" alternatives : sometimes you really do have to break the rules ; Fighting back collectively : saving hearts, minds, taste buds, and the Piazza di Spagna ; Coping individually : "skunk works," blindfolded children, and fantasy worlds ; Some concluding thoughts -- 7 : Globalization and the possibility of the deMcDonaldization of society?. Globalization and McDonaldization ; The deMcDonaldization of society ; The internet and deMcDonaldization.

George Ritzer's McDonaldization of Society, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, continues to stand as one of the pillars of modern day sociological thought. By linking theory to 21st century culture, this book resonates with students in a way that few other books do, opening their eyes to many current issues, especially in consumption and globalization. As in previous editions, the book has been updated and it offers new discussions of, among others, In-N-Out- Burger and Pret A Manger as possible antitheses of McDonaldization. The biggest change, however, is that the book has been radically streamlined to offer an even clearer articulation of the now-famous McDonaldization thesis.