Marketing's Impact on Society as a Whole

Some of the criticisms have also been levelled at marketing because of its perceived negative effect on society as a whole.   Criticisms which include marketing creating:

i. False wants and too much acquisitiveness. People are critic by what they own instead of who they are. This criticism possibly overstates the power of business to make needs. Our needs are affected by other forces than only marketing needs.  Some even see materialism since a positive force.

ii. Producing too few social goods. There require to more of a balance among public (social) and private goods. Options are the government could need more security be built into manufacture (autos for instance), or make consumers pay social price.

iii. Cultural pollution. Constant assaults on privacy by noise clutter and advertising. Marketing give answers by saying:   Marketers expect that their ads reach primarily the focus audience; advertising make much of radio and television free to users and keep down the prices of magazines and newspapers.

iv. Too much political power.

Companies do protect and promote their own interests. They have a right to. Counter forces are in place to offset political strength and business promotional.