This Fourth Edition of George Ritzer’s Introduction to Sociology shows students the relevance of sociology to their lives. While providing a rock-solid foundation, Ritzer illuminates traditional sociological concepts and theories, as well as some of the most compelling contemporary social phenomena: globalization, consumer culture, the digital world, and the "McDonaldization" of society. With examples on every page from current events and contemporary research, and stories about "public" sociologists who are engaging with the critical issues of today, the text demonstrates the power of sociology to explain the world, and the diversity of questions that sociologists seek to answer.