McDonaldisation and the future of the economy
Published 14 May 2012
Event 23 May 2012
One of the world's leading thinkers on the way we live now will give a major public lecture on the economic crisis at the University of Brighton later this month.
George Ritzer, distinguished university professor at the University of Maryland, will give the university's annual social science lecture on 23 May as part of the Brighton Festival Fringe.
Professor Ritzer is best known for his theory of the McDonaldization of society which argues that the principles of the fast food restaurant are coming to dominate more and more sectors of society and have replaced traditions, values, and emotions as motivators for behavior with rational, calculated ones.
His lecture, from 6-7pm at the Checkland Building on the Falmer campus, is entitled Is consumption the answer? Some sociological reflections on the current economic situation. This public event is free and open to everyone as part of the university's commitment to engaging with the local community.
It has been organised by Dr Mark Erickson from the School of Applied Sciences and Professor Alan Tomlinson from the Centre for Sport Research at the Chelsea School of Sport. Both have contributed to recent books by Professor Ritzer. Dr Erickson has written a chapter on science and technology in the Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Sociology (2012) and Professor Tomlinson has written several of the entries in the Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Globalization (2012).
After the lecture, a reception will be held to mark the publication of the latest edition of Professor Ritzer's McDonaldization; and to launch his new book the Encyclopedia of Globalization.
The day before the lecture Professor Ritzer will lead a masterclass at the Eastbourne campus. His visit is being supported by the Chelsea School of Sport, the School of Applied Social Sciences, the School of Service Management, the School of Environment and Technology, the Brighton Business School and the Centre for Research and Development in the Faculty of Arts.
Dr Mark Erickson, reader in sociology, at the university said: "This is a great opportunity to see one of the world's most respected sociologists in action, applying an insightful mind to a range of pressing social and economic problems."
For further details please email Dr Mark Erickson at m.erickson@brighton.ac.uk.
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