There's no denying that Americans are consumed in their love affair with all things fried, battered, and dipped. The yellow arches of McDonald's that smile at little Bobby or Susie in the backseat, the mature feelings for parents that come from Dairy Queen's "We Treat You Right" slog...

There is quite a big difference between the definition of the word to need and the word to want, which is where the problem arises for most Americans. Simon Patten, a pioneering economist-philosopher of consumption, believed that "the standard of life was based on superfluity: He expected that peo...

CREATING WORLDWIDE MARKET DOMINATIONMcDonald's has dominated the fast food industry for nearly three decades. With global sales of over $40 billion, its closest competitor, Burger King, would need over $27 billion in sales to take over the number one position in the industry. (Dailey, 2000, p. 8) Th...

Since the tragedy of September 11th, our country has banned together in a show of nationalism and solidarity. Everyone from soccer moms to CNN are waving the flag to show their association with the movement. But, some institutions and practices that have long been viewed as patriotic or the "Ameri...