The Pros and Cons of Globalization: A Critical Analysis
1. Introduction: two major sociological works on globalization.
Globalization is one of the most important processes that is currently happening in the world. It has been the subject of many studies and there are a lot of different opinions on it. In this essay, I will be discussing two major sociological works on globalization: “Mcdonaldization of society” by George Ritzer and “One world under business” by Charles Derber.
2. “Mcdonaldization of society” by George Ritzer.
George Ritzer’s book “Mcdonaldization of society” was published in 1993 and it was one of the first comprehensive sociological studies of the phenomenon of globalization. In the book, Ritzer discusses how the principles of the fast-food chain McDonald’s are becoming increasingly prevalent in modern society. He argues that this is leading to a standardization of products and services, as well as a loss of individuality and creativity.
Ritzer describes McDonaldization as “the process by which the principles of the fast-food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world.” He identifies four main principles that characterize McDonaldization: efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control.
Efficiency means that everything is optimized for the maximum output with the minimum input. This principle is evident in fast-food restaurants where customers are served quickly and efficiently.
Calculability means that everything is quantified and standardized. For example, fast-food restaurants often use standardized recipes to ensure that all their products taste the same.
Predictability means that everything is predictable and uniform. Fast-food restaurants strive to make their products and services as consistent as possible so that customers know what to expect every time they visit.
Control means that there is a strict hierarchy and strict rules that must be followed. In a fast-food restaurant, employees have specific roles and tasks that they must perform according to strict guidelines.
Ritzer argues that these four principles are leading to a de-humanization of society where people are becoming more like robots controlled by larger institutions. He also believes that this process is inevitable and irreversible.
3. “One world under business” by Charles Derber.
Charles Derber’s book “One world under business” was published in 2002 and it offers a critical analysis of globalization from a Marxist perspective. In the book, Derber argues that globalization is not just an economic phenomenon, but it is also political and cultural. He discusses how businesses are increasingly exerting control over our lives and how this is leading to a loss of democracy and an increase in inequality.
Derber describes globalization as “the expanding rule of transnational corporations throughout most spheres of social life.” He identifies four main features of globalization: economic globalism, political globalism, cultural globalism, and environmental globalism.
Economic globalism refers to the increasing integration of national economies into the global economy through trade, investment, and finance. This has led to a growth in multinational corporations which now have more power than nation-states.
Political globalism refers to the increasing role of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in setting the rules of the global economy. This has led to a loss of democracy as these organizations are not democratically accountable.
Cultural globalism refers to the increasing homogenization of culture as a result of the spread of Western values and norms around the world. This has led to a loss of diversity as well as a sense of rootlessness and alienation among people.
Environmental globalism refers to the increasing environmental problems that are caused by globalization such as climate change and pollution. This has led to a lot of suffering among people, especially in developing countries.
Derber argues that the negative effects of globalization can only be stopped if we have a strong global movement that fights for social justice. He also believes that businesses have a responsibility to act in a more socially responsible manner.
4. Conclusion.
In conclusion, globalization is a complex phenomenon with both positive and negative consequences. It is important to understand the different perspectives on globalization in order to make informed decisions about our future.