The McDonaldization of Society

In this book, George Ritzer expands on Max Weber's concept of rationalization by introducing the term 'McDonaldization' to describe the process by which the principles of fast-food restaurants—efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control—come to dominate various aspects of society.

Ritzer argues that these principles, while offering advantages such as speed and consistency, also lead to irrational outcomes like dehumanization, inefficiency, and health problems.

The book examines how McDonaldization affects everyday life, from consumer behavior to workplace dynamics, and critiques the homogenization and uniformity it promotes.