Most American travelers would not be surprised to find some of their own nations flavor (in the form of a McDonald's meal) in whatever country they are visiting. It's astonishing how many countries McDonald's and other large food corporations are branching into. McDonald's currently is in 119 countries (other than the US) with over 34,480 restaurants. However not everyone finds this type of globalization to be a good thing. Montenegro has banned McDonald's in their country in an effort to fight globalization. The idea behind this move is that McDonald's and other giant food corporations are dominating the market and causing small local businesses to be chased out. I believe that globalization will in the long-run benefit the world. A McDonald's in every country would create a better world because countries' economies would benefit, it would help unite different cultures and better the United State's reputation.
I believe the point made by the Montenegro government regarding McDonald's is not accurate. McDonald's offers a completely different service and good and would not cause a burden to other food businesses. Firstly, the service. It is super fast-food and most restaurants are completely unable to compete with McDonald's from that standpoint. Because other restaurants especially small local ones cannot compete in terms of speed they are offering a completely different service.I do not believe that the consumer wishing to sit down to a meal with family and friends would consider McDonald's as an alternative to local brands and restaurants. Secondly, the food they offer is Western food. Although, McDonald's and other large chains that have globalized attempt to adapt their menu's to local culture the food is still Western. McDonald's might cause increased competition to American/Western restaurants in foreign countries but if you look at the big picture very little restaurants would be affected by McDonald's because their services and goods are so different.
McDonald's and other large chains tremendously benefit a countries economy. They open up many jobs to unskilled workers. Finding work is such an issue in so many countries especially for the uneducated work-field. McDonald's provides good jobs to local unskilled workers. The job's are stable because they are backed by a large corporation so employees do not need to worry about going unpaid. They also open up opportunities to local entrepreneurs to start their own McDonald's chains. McDonald's food is generally in high demand. If their is a high demand for a McDonald's in a foreign economy it will be profitable and benefit the local economy.
Having similarities has proven to benefit countries. It is the whole basis of "The Democratic Peace Theory". When countries have commonalities (such as franchised restaurants) it creates a partnership. Countries are forming working relationships through shared resources. What benefits the other countries will benefit the United States. McDonald's and other chains create a partnership and allow for countries to work together. This shared venture causes a co-dependence between nations. The co-dependence in turn allows for countries to create peace. Any sort of war with countries that possess shared resources would undoubtedly cause problems because they would be hurting the profitability and/or sustainability of those shared resources. The partnerships that are created by globalization of companies like McDonald's are only improving the reputation of America. Not only is America giving these countries an economic boost but the co-dependence they create allows for foreign nations to peacefully collaborate and work with large American corporations.
I think you make a very good counter argument when you say "McDonald's might cause increased competition to American/Western restaurants in foreign countries but if you look at the big picture very little restaurants would be affected by McDonald's because their services and goods are so different." For example, in Paris, the little café with the pastries is a completely different product than a McDonald's. One is not a substitute for the other. I also agree with you that McDonald's, as a whole, benefit the world, disregarding the lack of any nutritional value in their meals. McDonald's is a great product that, through globalization, people hallway across the world can enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that McDonalds has given many benefits to the world but at times, McDonalds does take business away from the small cafes and restaurants. i think this is because people are more likely to pay for cheap quick food rather than food from a small restaurant. It takes away a lot of the business and many times, McDonald has bad business practices in the world. They have had controversy over the "halal-ness" of their meat in some Muslim countries. It has also affected much of the cultural restaurant in an area.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point Shahzeb, about the business practice of McDonald's in Muslim countries; I was unaware of that. However, I still do not think McDonald's takes away from small restaurants. It doesn't seem like a substitute to me because the product is so different. If anything I think McDonald's would be taking business away from companies that make quick frozen meals. It's speculation on both our parts. I would be curious to see if there is any research determining what the substitutes for McDonald's are in foreign countries.
ReplyDeleteMcDonald's popularity and attractiveness does not impact the smaller cafes because they are not parallel. It would obviously threaten the similar fast food restaurants or their other competition.
ReplyDeleteToby, what I really liked that you pointed out in your post is how the jobs available at a McDonald's provide income to less skilled workers. Ultimately, I agree with the blog itself because it does benefit almost any country.