George Ritzer: The man, the sociologist, the legend

This Festschrift honors the enduring legacy of George Ritzer, one of sociology's most influential and recognizable figures. Ritzer's scholarship has helped shape core areas of the discipline—ranging from consumption and social theory to globalization and beyond—while also generating new conceptual terrains such as McDonaldization, prosumption, and the study of “nothing” and “something.” The Festschrift opens with a biographical essay authored by Ritzer himself, highlighting his unconventional path to becoming one of the leading figures in sociology. Beyond his published work, Ritzer has shaped the field through founding key academic outlets, editing influential reference works, mentoring numerous scholars, and inspiring broad audiences by translating complex ideas from the ivory tower into concepts that can be more easily understood.