Excerpt: September 11, 2001: Mass Murder and Its Roots in the Symbolism of American Consumer Culture

Ritzer, George. [2002] 2005. "September 11, 2001: Mass Murder and Its Roots in the Symbolism of American Consumer Culture". Pp. 33-39 in Understanding Society, 2nd ed., edited by Margaret L. Andersen, Kim Logio, and Howard Taylor. Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning, Inc.

The terrorist attacks of September 11th were a symbolic attack on American culture, argues social theorist George Ritzer. Indeed, in the aftermath of the attacks many commentators in the mass media remarked that the attacks were an objection to Americanization abroad while others dismissed this claim and asked "What did we do to deserve this?". In this essay, Ritzer answers this question succinctly by focusing on how one aspect of American culture--consumption--produces hostility towards the Unites States in foreign cultures. Specifically, he examines three aspects that present themselves not only physically but symbolically through their media presence; these aspects "bring with them (a) an American way of doing business, (b) an American way of consuming, and (c) American cultural icons".

Excerpt: Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism

LaFeber, Walter. [2002] 2005. "Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism". Pp. 170-174 in Understanding Society, 2nd ed., edited by Margaret L. Andersen, Kim Logio, and Howard Taylor. Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning, Inc.

Meditating on the spread of American culture abroad, Walter LaFeber sums up his entire argument with one thing: Michael Jordan. As American media negotiated deals and promoted basketball to as wide a market as possible, Michael Jordan's leading his team to multiple championships had become a worldwide legend. On top of this, television advertisements and magazine ads across the world bore his image as an endorsement of Nike sneakers and a myriad of other globally-marketed products.

The decentralization of mass communication, from monarchs and/or the Church to a handful of broadcasters to dozens of news/media outlets to the internet, has made it easier to spread culture. Those with the product and capital for effective marketing overwhelm foreign markets to push sneakers, candy bars, television sets, books, cameras, sports, and even (though they may not be aware of it) icons, values, and beliefs.