In the fully updated Fifth Edition of Introduction to Sociology, bestselling author George Ritzer shows you the relevance of sociology to your life. While providing a rock-solid foundation, the text illuminates traditional sociological concepts and theories, as well as some of the most compelling contemporary social phenomena: globalization, consumer culture, the Internet, and the "McDonaldization" of society. Packed with current examples and the latest research of how "public" sociologists are engaging with the critical issues of today, this new edition encourages you to apply a sociological perspective to your worldview―empowering you to participate in a global conversation about current social problems.