Market Socialism or Marketing and Consumer Research in the Public Interest

Market Socialism: Debate among Socialists

Author: Bertell Ollman

Aside from Post Modernism, probably the hottest topic today among socialist scholars world-wide is Market Socialism. In this book, four leading socialist scholars present both sides of the debate--two for, and two against--highlighting the different perspectives from which Market Socialism has been viewed.

Arguing in favor of Market Socialism are the philosophers David Schweickart and James Lawler. While opposing them and Market Socialism are the political economist Hillel Ticktin and the political theorist Bertell Ollman. The evidence and arguments found in this book will prove invaluable to readers interested in the future of socialism.

Read also Getting It Right in Print or Descartes Dream

Marketing and Consumer Research in the Public Interest

Author: Ronald Paul Hill

"The articles are not a series of condemnations of past and current marketing practices; rather, they provide objective, heavily footnoted descriptions of marketing's actual impacts on these issues. . . . The book will be of most value to academicians researching ethical and public policy issues and those in nonprofit organizations with marketing responsibilities." --Choice How does personal crisis affect consumption? How do companies decide the appropriate way to market to a minority group? To what extent does social responsibility impact marketing? Marketing and Consumer Research in the Public Interest summarizes and extends the research on these types of issues in marketing and consumer behavior. Written by some of the leading social and public policy scholars in the field of marketing, the book discusses some essential consumption issues, marketing of controversial products, and the effectiveness of consumer safety and green buying campaigns. In addition, the volume examines two cutting-edge theoretical approaches to conducting consumer research in the public interest. It examines troublesome consumption issues such as substance abuse, grieving consumers, and marketing to the poor. It also explores media concerns such as portrayals of minority groups, target marketing, and the impact idealized images have on consumers' perceptions of their lives, particularly with respect to their material possessions. This volume concludes with an informative discussion of legislative and social marketing issues, including green buying practices, consumer rights, warning labels, and product safety. Researchers, scholars, and upper-level students in the areas of public relations, communications,ethics, healthcare and public policy will find this a valuable resource. Professionals who want a better understanding of the issues that are currently being investigated by scholars in the marketing and consumer behavior fields will appreciate the insights this volume offers as well.

Booknews

Social and public policy scholars in the field of marketing address the expansion of the field to encompass more complex social issues. Four sections examine controversial, cutting edge theoretical approaches such as feminist analysis and critical theory; the troublesome consumption issues of poverty, addiction, and grief; media issues such as target marketing, social comparison, and portrayals of minority groups; and legislative and social marketing issues, including the effectiveness of warning labels, product safety, and environmental practices. Paper edition (unseen), $24.95. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Table of Contents:

	Introduction
1	Uniting Critical Theory and Public Policy to Create the Reflexively Defiant Consumer	3
2	Exploring Simultaneous Oppressions: Toward the Development of Consumer Research in the Interest of Diverse Women	17
3	Professional, Personal, and Popular Culture Perspectives on Addiction	33
4	Social Support for Decision Making During Grief Due to Death	55
5	Marketing and the Poor	69
6	Social Criticisms of Target Marketing: Process or Product?	89
7	Materialism, Desire, and Discontent: Contributions of Idealized Advertising Images and Social Comparison	109
8	Portrayals of African, Hispanic, and Asian Americans in Magazine Advertising	133
9	Alcohol Warning Label Effects: Socialization, Addiction, and Public Policy Issues	153
10	Expanding the Perspective on Consumer Product Safety	177
11	Using Marketing and Advertising Principles to Encourage Pro-Environmental Behaviors	197
	Index	217
	About the Contributors	226