Enchanting a Disenchanted World
Continuity and Change in the Cathedrals of Consumption
- George Ritzer - University of Maryland, USA
Enchanting a Disenchanted World, Third Edition examines Disney, malls, cruise lines, Las Vegas, the world wide web, Planet Hollywood, credit cards, and all the other ways we now consume. Thoroughly updated to reflect the recent economic recession and the impact of the internet, bestselling author George Ritzer continues to explore this book’s central thesis: that our society has undergone fundamental change because of the way and the level at which we consume.
This Third Edition demonstrates how we have created new "cathedrals" of consumption (places that enchant us so as to entice us to stay longer and consume more) while continuing to take capitalism to a new level. These places of consumption, whether in our homes, the mall, or cyberspace, are in a constant state of "enchanting the disenchanted," luring us through new spectacles because their rational qualities are both necessary and deadening at the same time.
New and Hallmark Features
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Offers a unique analysis of the world of consumption, especially the settings in which consumption takes place
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Discusses the recent global economic recession throughout
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Offers rich details on consuming in such places as Las Vegas, Disney World, on cruise ships, in Wal-Mart, at McDonald’s, and, new to this edition, on the Web
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Includes a wide range of theoretical perspectives—Marxian, Weberian, critical theory, postmodern theory—as well as a number of concepts such as hyperconsumption, implosion, simulation, and time and space to show students how sociological theory can be applied to everyday phenomena
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Intended Audience
Enchanting in a Disenchanted World, Third Edition brings life to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Introductory Sociology, Social Problems, Sociological Theory, Economic Sociology, Sociology of Culture, and the Sociology of Consumption.
Contributor to the SAGE Teaching Innovations and Professional Development Award
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I have used Ritzer's Enchanting a Disenchanted World for perhaps 4 years now. I use it for three reasons: 1) it demonstrates Marx, Weber, and Baudriallrd so that students see theorizing being done; 2) it imaginatively and cogently addresses an issue with which we are all familiar; 3) it shows sociology's critical potential and capacity.
Brad Breems
I ended up using Eitzens book instead. This book did not cover Globalization in a way I was looking for.
This is another solid contribution by Ritzer. This particular work advances his previous critique of global and local consumption practices and the related implications for our individual and collective lives, identities, and experiences. In this particular work, Ritzer has drawn on examples from a range of different consumption spaces (e.g., malls, theme parks, and leisure spaces) to demonstrate the pervasive, and invariably problematic, nature of our conspicuous consumption. The underlying examination of neo-liberal capital processes will also not go unnoticed.
Ritzer work importantly transcends disciplinary boundaries, and, in so doing, provides a useful way for to broaden students' conceptual and theoretical understanding and knowledge application. This work may be challenging for lower-level undergraduates. However, I would not hesitate in using it in my teaching, or, to prompt upper-level students to more critically engage with the its core concepts (e.g. hyper-commercialisation and consumption). These issues certainly contour students sporting lives, and as such, Ritzer work should, I think, help them better understand the complex processes to which these lives are a part.
Probably too much for the work load in my projected Intro class
Adopted two other books (The Social Lens and Illuminating Social Life) published by Sage that substantively covers the core ideas in this text.
The theories and concepts introduced in the book generate heated discussion amongst students on consumption and globlisation. Ritzer's analysis is valuable also because it provokes critical debates on contemporary culture in general.
This is an accessible but thorough discussion of 'consumer society' - a key text for today's social theory students.
This is a great follow-up from Ritzer and for many students offers an alternative perspective towards neo-liberal critiques. In addition, it offers another way of thinking about the impact of social orders on changes and trends within and accross a range of community practices.
May be supplemental with another text.
May be supplemental with another text.
Sample Materials & Chapters
Ch 1. A Tour of the New Means of Consumption
Ch 8. The Cathedrals (and Landscapes) of Consumption
