The Utopian politician: “I have scarcely begun.”



His adviser: “I beg you, let me into your other Utopian plans.”



The Utopian politician: “I have lost 60 million on salt and the postal services. I have recovered them on Customs duties, which have given me something even more precious.”



His adviser: “And what is that, if you please?”



The Utopian politician: “International relationships based on justice, and the likelihood of peace, which is almost a certainty. I would disband the army.”



His adviser: “The entire army?”



The Utopian politician: “Except for some specialized divisions, which would recruit voluntarily just like any other profession. And as you can see, conscription would be abolished.”



His adviser: “Sir, you should say recruitment.”



The Utopian politician: “Ah, I was forgetting! I admire the ease with which in certain countries it is possible to perpetuate the most unpopular things by giving them a different name.”



His adviser: “It is just like combined duties which have become indirect contributions.”



The Utopian politician: “And gendarmes who have adopted the name municipal guards.”



His adviser: “In short, you are disarming the country based on a Utopian faith.”



The Utopian politician: “I said that I was disbanding the army and not that I was disarming the country. On the contrary, I intend to give it an invincible force.”



His adviser: “How are you going to sort out this heap of contradictions?”



The Utopian politician: “I will call on the services of all citizens.‘ …



The Utopian politician: “Following this, I would base national defense on a law with two articles: Article 1. All eligible citizens, without exception, will remain under the flag for four years, from the ages of 21 to 25, in order to receive military instruction.”



His adviser: “That is a fine saving! You dismiss 400,000 soldiers and you make 10 million of them!”



The Utopian politician: “Wait for my second article. Article 2. Unless they can prove at the age of 21 that they have successfully attended a training unit.”



His adviser: “I was not expecting this outcome. It is quite certain that, to avoid four years of military service, there would be a terrific rush in our youth to learn ‘by the right, quick march’ and ‘in double quick time, charge.’ The idea is very odd.”



The Utopian politician: “It is better than that. For finally, without causing grief to families and without upsetting the principle of equality, would it not simply and cheaply ensure the country 10 million defenders capable of meeting a coalition of all the standing armies in the world?”



His adviser: “Truly, if I were not on my guard, I would end up by being interested in your fantasies.”



The Utopian becomes excited: “Thank heavens; my budget has been reduced by 200 million! I will abolish city tolls, I will reform indirect taxes, I …”