The Economic Functions of Vice

A sociopolitical discourse written in the early 20th century. This work examines the concept of vice and its role within society, positioning it as an inevitable force in social and biological evolution. The book reflects the author’s perspective on how vice operates in a natural selection framework, elucidating the idea that societal ills might serve as mechanisms for population control and the elimination of inferior elements within the human race. In this thought-provoking publication, McElroy argues that human beings are unique in their capacity for excess and vice, unlike other creatures that face natural predation. He posits that societal vices—such as alcoholism, crime, and immorality—serve a function akin to natural laws, helping to prune the population of those deemed unfit or inferior. McElroy offers various historical and biological examples to illustrate his points, consistently drawing parallels between the destructive effects of these vices and the principles of ''survival of the fittest.'' Ultimately, he presents a controversial view that welcomes the idea of natural selection within human society, suggesting that vice might ironically contribute to societal health by weeding out the undesirables and allowing stronger individuals to thrive.