Exploring the Relationship Between Ritzer's McDonaldization & Weber

This essay examines the relationship between George Ritzer's theory of McDonaldization and Max Weber's theory of Rationalization, arguing that McDonaldization is an extension of Weber's ideas on how scientific rationality led to bureaucracy. The essay discusses Weber's definition of modern bureaucracy, highlighting hierarchical roles, compartmentalized knowledge, and merit-based systems. It then explains how Ritzer believes society has moved away from Weber's bureaucracy to McDonaldization due to changes in science, economy, and culture. The essay further explores the irrationality produced by this focus on rationality, leading to dehumanization and the devaluation of workers. Examples like IKEA and Starbucks are used to illustrate the principles of McDonaldization, while McDonald's strategies to discourage lingering are also examined. The essay concludes by emphasizing the challenges faced by organizations due to globalization and the impact of McDonaldization on labor conditions and wages.

It has been observed that there is a link between Ritzer's theory of McDonaldization and Max
Weber theory of Rationalisation. McDonaldization is just a progress on classical sociologist
Max Weber's theory. This progress states how effectively scientific reasonability produces
bureaucracy that has further become an organising force which had transformed the modern
societies especially in the twentieth century (Ritzer, 2018). As per Weber, modern
bureaucracy can be expressed by compartmentalised knowledge, hierarchical roles, an
understandable ranking-based system of technological advancement and employment and the
legalities related to authority (Ritzer, 2018). The above features are seen in many parts of the
societies in the modern world.
As per the percerption of Ritzer, dynamic nature of economy, culture and science have
moved the societies from the Weber`s bureaucracy to social structures which are absolutely
indifferent and finally Ritzer4 called it McDonaldization. Ritzer elaborates that this narrow
approach of understanding the rationality produces irrationality (Ritzer, 2018). He said that
irrationality brings out that rational system are awkward or difficult system. With this
interpretation, he meant that irrational system denies basic humanity and stop others to serve
the human reasons. Several researchers have no doubt in noticing what actually Ritzer
elaborates regarding the human capacity that is not visible in the transactions and also the
experiences which are spoiled by some stiff and inflexible loyalty related to the policies and
rules of the organisation. Those people who work under such irrational environment often
experiences dehumanisation (Ritzer, 2018).
This is the reason why McDonaldisation is not in the need of skilled workforce. By focusing
the four main features that yield McDonaldization has eradicated the requirement for skilled
workers. Employees in such conditions often employ in routinized, repetitive,
compartmentalised tasks, more focused which are taught easily, and cheaply that increases
the chance of replacement (Ritzer, 2017). These types of work devalues a worker, which

takes away the bargaining power of workers. Sociologists have observed that this type of
tasks have diminished the value of workers and worker`s wages and their rights in the world.
This is the reason why labours at some places like Walmart and McDonald`s have been
leading the fight for living wage in US. At the same time, in China, labours who produces
iPhones faces severe living conditions (Ritzer, 2017).
One of the major challenges faced by the organisations in 2018 is globalisation. Report
generated in 2003 by WTO (World Trade Organisation) showed that globalisation have
resulted in paced productivity because of increasing trade at international level. Ikea has
introduced E&E model that can be efficient and effective. IKEA opts low-cost production
strategy. For instance- if a company is offshoring its furniture production to Poland, at this
time also the country is a communist country and cheap in the labour costs and this can be
ahead in the competition and can think of offshoring. Form ready to assembling the Furniture,
low salaries is paid to the manager that further helped the IKEA to become one of the
effective organisation in terms of its products, appliances, furniture, and home accessories.
IKEA is renowned as one of the innovative company that offers innovative designs and
interior architecture solutions. Recently, several major issues have been faced by IKEA such
as quality but still its products were never so popular before. This relates to one of the
McDonaldization principle that can be efficient (Ritzer, 2016).
As an example, rather than offering stiff and disgraceful seats offered by the Starbucks and
McDonald`s, the customers should be offered with overstuffed armchairs, convenient chairs,
tables, and other sofas. Starbucks is another place that has to be amplified in some recent
years by encouraging and inducing the customers to visit Starbucks with their laptops and get
benefit of their ambience with the help of Wi-Fi connection (Chen, and Ritzer, 2015). In
opposition to this, McDonalds has focused on why people stay too long, cite the experience
of defunct chain similar to cafeterias, which were hurt by huge numbers of street people that

usually occupy the chairs for long time and order nothing or order little. Automat paying
customers find pressured in finding seats and when they find it their appetites are not
enhanced due to unappealing appearances of people sitting nearby. In order to prevent this
situation, McDonalds have created other things such as uncomfortable seats, garish colours
and several amenities (absence of amenities) which makes the customers feel unwelcomed.
Rather a general message to the people from the McDonald`s is less than welcome. The main
idea of the Mcdonalds is to expect them to eat fast and get out of ambience so that others can
get space.

References
Ritzer, G., 2018. Rationalization, Bureaucratization, and McDonaldization. Core Concepts in
Sociology, p.247.
Ritzer, G., 2017. Developing insights into contemporary con (pro) sumer culture based on
classical ideas in social theory. Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, 9(1), pp.34-40.
Chen, C.C. and Ritzer, G., 2015. McDonaldization. The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of
Consumption and Consumer Studies, pp.1-3.
Ritzer, G., 2016. The dehumanized consumer: Does the prosumer offer some Hope. Being
human in a consumer society, pp.25-40.