In nations where free trade is practiced it is explicit that the public is prejudiced against specific industries. As a result, all industries are not treated as equals. Such a view is unethical because it drives consumers to be partial to some sectors. For example, some countries perceive the alcoholic industry as a risk due to the products which result. Therefore, society in such a nation tends to regard the alcoholic industry as the manufacture of products which propel people to execute immoral acts which are objectionable according to their principles (Adams, 2016). As a consequence, such a society will develop a favorable inclination towards the soft drink industry because their products do not influence some members of the society in committing unfavorable acts. It is, thus, true that in the land of free trade the public does not perceive industries as equals.
As the alcoholic industry advocates, it is entirely unethical for a society to perceive some industries as unequal. Such perception is unethical given that it negatively impacts on the consumer’s partiality for specific industries.
The alcoholic industry has suffered massively as a casualty of such bigotry. Besides, society has continually perpetuated such detrimental perceptions against alcoholic companies and industries; thus, affecting the industry negatively. The perpetuation of such prejudice is unethical because investors in the alcoholic production industry are in business like any other investors. Furthermore, alcoholic manufacturing is strictly regulated, and any company investing in the industry must conform to numerous laws, as well as obtaining business licenses as the law dictates. Some industries such as the alcoholic industry are unfairly targeted due to negative prejudice. As a result, such industries encounter enormous losses due to the high tax levied; hence, threatening their survival (Ferell, Fraedrich & Ferell, 2014).
Capitalism plays a significant role in corporate decision-making. However, the role it plays results in unreasonable marketing policies which expose some businesses to unfair treatment (Ferell, Fraedrich & Ferell, 2014). For example, people will find it weird to have a pastor as an employee of a brewery company. Prejudice will obstruct such people from understanding that the pastor is in employment similar to any other worker working for and with a different company.
Every consumer has a fundamental choice to make regarding what product to consume including products that are unhealthy for them. However, alcoholic companies must conform to the law which demands that every alcoholic drink must have a warning stating excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful to a person’s health (Adams, 2016). Besides, they must caution the consumer against driving, as well as the need to drink responsibly. Such warning indicates that it is possible for a company to cater to both its interests and that of the consumer conjointly and without either prevailing. Alcoholic beverage companies have a mandate to cater for the interests of its consumers through warnings fixed on the alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, they are allowed to freely advertise their products without any limitation (Ferell, Fraedrich & Ferell, 2014). As a result, consumers of the alcoholic drinks will consume them despite the warning on the drink.
In conclusion, it is clear that public perception that some industries are not equal to others is unethical and it leads to unwarranted prejudice. As a consequence, such businesses are impacted negatively. Therefore, all business sectors should be treated as equals because they are affected by similar economic situations. Furthermore, all businesses comply with the enacted regulations and laws. Hence, alcoholic companies should not be targeted unfairly. In fact, the alcoholic industry should be perceived to be similar to any other manufacturing sector.
- Adams, P. J. (2016). Moral jeopardy: risks of accepting money from the alcohol, tobacco and gambling industries. Cambridge University Press.
- Ferell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell. (2014). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases.