‘Expenditure on advertising is a social waste.’ Do you agree? Discuss.

Advertising is considered as social waste due to following points of criticism

1. Higher prices: It is argued that the large amount spent on advertising is added to the cost of distribution of product and is ultimately added to the price of the product and is paid out of the pocket of the customer.

2. Wasteful expenditure: Advertising multiplies the needs of people and encourages unhealthy consumption. By exploiting human sentiments, it persuades people to buy products which they do not need or cannot afford. It promotes artificial living and extravagance and creates demand for trivial goods.

3. Misleads the customer: It is said that advertising is deceptive and misrepresents the facts to the consumer. The exaggerated and tall claims and flowery language are used to mislead the customer.

4. Creates monopoly: Advertising creates brand preference and restricts free competition. The large firms which can afford huge amounts of money on advertising easily eliminate the small firms by creating brand monopoly.

5. Undermines social values: The modern advertising exerts few corrupting influence on cultural and social life which is not only wasteful but also immoral. Many advertisements are highly objectionable and socially undesirable and encourage social evils like smoking and drinking. It degrades ethical and aesthetic values through indecent language and objectionable photographs.