What are some arguments for and against corporate social responsibility by society and by business themselves?

Question

What are some arguments for and against corporate social responsibility by society and by business themselves? Why is business interested in corporate social responsibility? What are some ethical issues associated with advertising? Why are they important? How does government regulate the social responsibility of advertisers? What is cause-related marketing and give an example? What is green marketing and give an example? What was the consumer movement? What are some stereotypes in advertising against women, French, blacks, gay and lesbian, the elderly, children, the handicapped, Asians and people of Hispanic origin?

Answer 1

Profit with honor,
Advertising must not offend any sector of the society, and
Environment must not be sacrificed for profits.

Answer 2

May as well set myself up to get shot down. I work for a big defence corporation. From there I would say there are NO arguments against CSR. It's a good thing even if only given lip service - you've got to start somewhere. My company is generally pretty good on CSR but it's like anything big, little bits can get crushed in the wheels. I don't necessarily believe it's an unethical business - at least when those within the company behave ethically. It really isn't a lot of use complaining about big corporations - we have to work somewhere and I do it to pay the mortgage and keep the family - that's real ethics for you. But I like to think that by doing my bit I can help drive my little area down an ethical path -maybe not in terms of bombs and bullets (even then would you rather a UK company made them and was pretty careful about who they sold to - or a French, Russian or Chinese company - who assuredly wouldn't) but in terms of, oh, sourcing from the UK not 8000 miles away.. By shipping by sea not air, by buying from environmentally sound companies (and yes we watch that as well). Don't beware the giant corporate bogeyman, try and lead them from wherever you sit.