1. Explain How the Micro-Macro Dilemma Relates to Each of the Following Products: High-Powered Engines in Cars, Nuclear Power, and Bank Credit Cards.

367 Words2 Pages
The micro-macro dilemma is when free choices made by some firms and consumers may be “good” but can cause conflicts and difficulties for society as a whole. One’s obligations to improve its positive effects on society and reduce its negative effects are known as social responsibility (Perreault, Cannon, & McCarthy, 2010, p. 23). A high-powered engine in cars is a lot of fun for consumers. As consumers are purchasing more and more of these cars, the producers are happy to meet the demands. The dilemma in this situation is that high-powered engines use higher amounts of fuel, which emit toxins that pollute the air, which is a contributing factor to global warming. The pollution is a negative effect on air quality. Thus, building these cars is good for producers and fun consumers, but bad for society. Nuclear plants also have a micro-macro dilemma. While used to generate electricity from nuclear fuel, opponents of nuclear plants feel it poses many threats to people and the environment. These threats include health risks and environmental damage from radiation. Radiation could contaminate water supplies, food crops and livestock, and a high exposure to radiation can cause serious illness or death (Nuclear Power Plants). Bank credit cards allow consumers to borrow money to make purchases. The downside to bank credit cards is part of the effect that we see today in our economy. Consumers were living well beyond their means. Banks essentially lent out money that caused the economy to rise. Companies were producing mass amounts of items that consumers demanded. People were buying houses with variable interest rates. Businesses were booming. When consumers were not able to pay back all the money borrowed, society took a hit. People were going into foreclosure, and banks were left with many empty houses. Prices climbed to make up for losses. Banks tightened up their lending.

More about 1. Explain How the Micro-Macro Dilemma Relates to Each of the Following Products: High-Powered Engines in Cars, Nuclear Power, and Bank Credit Cards.

Open Document