Economics of Vice

After watching T.V. one evening, I was struck by a recurring theme; the appeal to vice. Every cardinal vice has become a marketing tool. Lincoln Town Cars, gated communities, swank jewelers all appeal to our vanity. Sofa recliners appeal to our sloth. Stock brokers and investment companies appeal to our avarice. Beer adds and singles lines cater to our lust. Talk shows and social progressives urge us to "take pride" in ourselves. "Gourmet" foods and exotic chocolates appeal to our appetites. It seems as though a large part of our economy caters to habits and behaviors once identified as sin. There are profits to be made off sin. The hallmarks of virtue are restraint, humility, and modesty, and there is little money to be made off of them - no one would get rich off the Amish.

I suspect this may be one reason why many in the United States have so little patience with traditional, religious beliefs; even to the point of mockery. Beliefs that discourage vice are an obstacle to American consumerism. How does one persuade a pious and humble family that they need a new car, a vacation to Las Vegas, or that Miller is the beer for them? How can one persuade a devout Catholic that he needs a new bedroom set or cosmetic surgery? Sincere religious beliefs often interfere with commerce and profits. The virtues of capitalism are the virtues of wealth. And the rewards of wealth are vice; or at least what used to be understood as vice.

Religious faith can also be an obstacle to political ambition and social "progress." Since faith transcends society and politics, it provides a context within which society can be measured and judged. Faith is a point of reference outside the reach of the ambitious, the mundane and acrimonious, and so is scorned and mocked by the ambitious, the mundane, and the acrimonious. Whatever bits and pieces of religion that cannot be crammed inside the secular world of politics, economics, and values, are dismissed as eccentricities, or prejudices.

If there is one thing social progressives cannot abide, it is the ethical and moral standards of right and wrong that under girds religion. It seems that liberals and progressives live in fear of judgement and would rather change the rules than change their behavior: which would explain why those liberals and progressives reluctant to abandon religion are in constant search for a religion that will suit their beliefs and lifestyles.

I am not arguing that we should abandon democracy, capitalism and free markets in favor of puritanism. Nor am I arguing for law based on scripture. I am simply suggesting that progressives and liberals recognize that not everyone is as hostile or ambivalent toward faith and morality as they are, and that room should be allowed in society for traditional faith and religion; even if it cuts into profits.

It was once said the the wage of sin is death. Even if that is true, for many the profits of sin are worth it.