Nationalism is an emphasis on a country s interests before anything else. Nationalism can reduce sales and block marketing activity. Nationalism is a complex factor in international business because strong feeling of identity can obscure a larger picture of more products at lower prices for consumers. Regional Economic Groupings. This practice effectively increases the size of a given market, lowers costs within the community while raising costs for those outside the boundary trying to gain access to the larger markets.
Consumerism is a social movement that seeks to increase the rights and powers of consumers.
Companies that practice the marketing concept are increasingly sensitive to the rights of consumers and see this movement as an ally for better products and higher customer satisfaction. While related, the legal environment is distinguishable from the political environment. Marketing managers need to know the relevant laws affecting business but also need to be aware of the policies toward enforcement of those laws. In the US, laws are designed to increase competition. The Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972 empowers its commission to remove unsafe products from the market.