Swing Civilization and McDonaldization - Essay Example

In Huntington’s argument, civilization conflicts are occasionally prevalent among Muslims and Non-Muslims, and in establishing the border between Islamic Civilization and non-Islamic civilization.

The origin of the conflict is the thrust of Islamic belief within Europe, expulsion in the Iberian re-conquest, and the Ottoman Turk's attack on Vienna and Eastern Europe (Fox, 2002). Other contributing factors are; missionaries seeking to convert others, defending one’s values and beliefs of both faiths, Islamic resurgence, and the explosion of Muslims. In his critique, Said claims that the use of words such as ‘the West and Islam’ are mainly meant to confuse reality and are very dangerous labels.

The labeling is what is championing a climate of ignorance and conflict between Islam and the West (Inglehart, 2003). He further claims that Huntington intends to turn civilizations and identities into what they aren’t. In the era of this digital times, the world is but a global small global village interconnected. Individual state conflicts are likely to affect the other peaceful state directly or indirectly. People should refrain from issues that are divisive, for instance, the labeling of certain individuals to bring out some distinctions.

 All the other methods are then discarded as they are inefficient. The four main dimensions in which McDonaldization operates include; efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control. Efficiency is the optimum means of completing a task, rational determination in obtaining the best production mode, and where individuality is not an order.

Calculability considers outcome assessments based on quantifiable criteria rather than subjective criteria. That is to say, that quantity takes precedence over quality. Predictability focuses on the production process to ensure uniformity and outcome standardization. Control mainly enhances the substitution of non-human labor that is predictable with human labor. Substitution here is through automation or deskilling (Ritzer, 2011). It is true that McDonaldization directly or indirectly affects most contemporary phenomena.

For instance, McDonald's chain of restaurants. The restaurants commonly known as fast food joints that are to provide quick services turn out to enhance the opposite as they occasionally exhibit a character of long waits in line. Another instance is that of devolving of offices to provide efficient services only turning out to be devolving of corruption. Question 6 The cross between two separate cultures and races is what brings about hybridity. The theory of cultural hybridization stands among the other theories.

The theory is important in creating a fearful discourse of mixing races that is witnessed even in modern society today. It encourages and teaches individuals how to interact with one another and in appreciating the diverse talents of the world (Young, 2005). Interacting and mixing with others enables us to learn the weaknesses and strengths of one another and to work towards a better goal of ensuring peace, harmony, and development. In the realization of the digital global world, the contributions of an individual have a significant impact on society, either positively or negatively.

Mixing and embracing one another will ensure much more benefits and peaceful co-existence. Racial discrimination and the feeling of inferiority have no space under the theory of cultural hybridization. Thus, this theory has the ability and means of ensuring the unity of the world (Inglehart, 2008). Question 3 Klein bases her argument on perimeters of in-availability of space, choice, jobs, and logo. During the economic crash of the 1980s, corporations reconsidered their marketing approaches, targeting the youth demographics.

They associated themselves with what the youth chose to be cool (Newell, 2007). She argues big multinational corporations emphasized the marketing of brands' names rather than manufacture. Klein explains that the theme is what attributes to the shift in Third World countries' production. Under choice, Klein explains the extent a corporation would go to establish itself in the market, including the options of merging. Under no jobs consideration, Klein views how manufacturing companies move to export processing zones.

For instance in North America, where the absence of manufacturing jobs results to work an influx in the service sector (Newell, 2007). In her conclusion, she addresses the movements that have sprung up for the betterment of this sector. It is ideal to produce commodities that have an immediate market and their demands also high as this fulfills the public demand for the products. However, it is wrong to take advantage of the opportunity by exploiting people. The market system is large and dynamic and in some instances very unpredictable for certain products and services.

Emerging as one of the means of accounting for this market force, is a practice that enhances efficiency and adequate service delivery to all.