From burgers to biodiversity? The McDonaldization of on-farm nature conservation in the UK

Morris, Carol and Reed, Matt ORCID: 0000-0003-1105-9625 (2007) From burgers to biodiversity? The McDonaldization of on-farm nature conservation in the UK. Agriculture and Human Values, 24 (2). pp. 207-218. doi:10.1007/s10460-006-9048-7

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Abstract

This paper uses George Ritzer's account of McDonaldization - the socially transformative process of rationalization - to undertake a critical analysis of agri-environment schemes, the dominant form of on-farm nature conservation in England. Drawing on a wide range of evidence, including social surveys of the participants and non-participants of agri-environment schemes, government files, and interviews with government officials, the four key dimensions of McDonaldization - efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control (through non-human technologies) - are applied to the analysis of agri-environment schemes. The irrationalities emerging from a McDonaldized approach to nature conservation are discussed together with their implications for farmers, nature, and society. In conclusion, the paper points to the emergence of alternative models of on-farm nature conservation that may offer ways of resisting and displacing the McDonaldized version.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Author Keywords:agri-environment schemes; McDonaldization; nature conservation; rationalization; United Kingdom KeyWords Plus:Agri-Environmental Policy; Countryside Stewardship Scheme; Australian Landcare Movement; Food-Production; Geography; Participation; Governance; Management; Program; England
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Depositing User:	Anne Pengelly
Date Deposited:	07 May 2014 13:29
Last Modified:	01 Aug 2021 21:28
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/621

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