Max Weber's Rationalization Of Society

One of Max Weber’s central theory concepts is rationalization. Rationalization according to Weber is where social actions are carried out by efficient calculated means rather than by more traditional and spiritual ways. When I first read the question before I read the Weber material I thought it had to do with the rationality where you ”rationalize” a particular behavior. People in my twelve-step program often rationalize their drinking. However that definition is more for the individual while Weber’s definition is more for society as a whole. George Ritzer’s (2004) The McDonaldization of Society gives us a more modern look at the rationalization. The McDonaldization of Society talks about how the principles of fast food restaurants have

We live in a fast world where everything is about how much money you make and how much you can spend to make more money. There are benefits and drawbacks such as what I mentioned for the self-check out line. In a restaurant where you have to get your own drink the benefit to the company is less manpower needed to serve the customer. I as a consumer like to get my own drink because I like to mix the soda pops together in my own combination with what we used to call a “suicide”. Though I am not really sure where the name came from. I don’t think Weber really liked this process. It mentions in our textbook that for Weber, the process of modernization brings with it a stark and barren world culture. (Allen 153) This sounds to me like he is describing a very sad and lonely world. In conclusion, I believe Weber was very accurate in describing future societies as being very rationalized. George Ritzer’s The McDonaldization of Society (2004) explains this theory in modern terms. In Weber’s original work he talks about the “disenchantment of the world”. Are we happier now with less enchantment? I don’t think so. I believe a little more mystery and a little more people contact would make for a much happier less lonely