McWorld is a term used to describe the spreading of the McDonald's around the world as a result of globalization. An American born restaurant that has become the most world re noun fast-food joints, and has epitomized the term efficiency. McDonald's has restaurants in 119 different countries and all of them have adapted to the different cultures in which they are immersed. For example, I went to a McDonald's in Oahu, Hawaii and their menu was much different than mainland America. All of their combos came with pineapple, and some other alternatives to fries were spam, a whole mango, or well more pineapple. Their menu also excluded several items that the mainland McDonald's usually have such as the fish sandwich, the McGriddle, and apple pies. This is a great example of how McDonald's mold their products to the demands of their local consumer. Even within the same country! More exotic McDonald's drastically change their menus to unrecognizable degree, such as in India where they serve no beef, and more vegetarian cuisine (Wikipedia).
Although they have set the bar high for fast, efficient service, McDonald's is also associated with a not so great reputation. In the 2004 blockbuster hit Super size Me, McDonald's was exposed for being a corporation that has for decades supported American obesity rates and unhealthy nutrition. Could the spreading of the McDonald's culture also change the nutritional statistics of other countries?
Jihad vs. McWorld, a book written by political scientist Benjamin R. Barber, discusses the cultural effects of the globalization of McDonald's. Jihad is the symbol used to portray the cultural traditions and values of the countries in which McDonald's has planted it's roots. Although McDonald's does attempt to adapt to its surrounding, the corporation is an American born restaurant who still, at it's core, is defined by it's American business practices, culture, and values. This could pose a threat to a country's roots and ultimately cast a shadow over the diversity that that country adds to the global community. Thomas Friedman, the author of The World Is Flat, would describe this as America slowly driving it's Lexus over a McDonald's victims olive tree.
What are your feelings about McDonald's?
Which side would you take, the McWorld or the Jihad?
After reading about Super size Me, would you reconsider your food choice?
3 comments:
I don't really like the idea of McDonalds (even though every once in awhile a McFlurry seems like it is the best thing that has ever happened). The food at McDonalds kind of grosses me out and I personally like cultural diversity. Though I wouldn't want a McDonalds in America to begin with, I definetely wouldn't want to see a McDonalds when im traveling abroad. If I am traveling to Guatemala, I am traveling to Guatemala to experience Guatemala and eat Guatemalan food. I'm not traveling to Guatemala to eat McDonalds. McDonalds is exactly the kind of thing I would like to get away from. That being said, I guess I would take sides with the Jihad if I had to take any side at all. I think that a balance between the lexus and the olive tree is really important though. While we have made a lot of progress technologically and are capable of doing much more than we could have years ago, I think that there are definetely more important things than something you can buy at a store, or McDonalds.
Considering the US's wide influence on the world, it's not surprising that an institution so American follows closely behind politics. Even though it does change slightly for the local consumer, it still offers the same things we come to expect here in America (fast service, etc.). As a kid, McDonald's was the best, I wanted to eat there everyday, but I can make a burger better at home. I know that McDonald's and fast food joints are responsible for obesity (especially child obesity). But Americans are willing sacrifice so much for instant gratification. In short I'm on the Jihad side of things.
I feel that McDonald's is a symbol for globalization and standardization. McDonald's IS a direct symbol of western civilization. I do not like the fact that McDonald's is spreading all around the world. Although there are a few variations to menus, you can still almost always have a McDonald's to rely on in case you don't want to try the raw fish when you're in Japan. I think McDonald's is taking away from cultural individuality. I can't say which side I would take, because on one hand I favor standardization because everybody is given more opportunity. On the other hand, I don't like the fact that McDonald's is leading to the conformation of all. I have seen the movie Super Size ME and that is not why I decided to stop eating at McDonald's, but the movie supports my decision.
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