Do we need a professional army in France ?

Nowadays, there is a debate which deals with the use and need for a country to have a professional army. There are two ways of thinking on this subject and I want to show how people feel about that and why.

First, some people are convinced that having a professional army is really useful. They have a possible new war in mind and feel that a professional army would be a good thing if that happened. Having an army also gives to these people an idea of power and safety. They think that with a professional army, their country is more secure and more powerful. If the country is more powerful, it will dissuades other countries from waging war

That is why people feel safer in their country and are in favour of a professional army.

Other people think having a professional army is useless and therefore are opposed to the idea. They are convinced that their country won’t start a war for the moment and that if it happens, a professional army won’t be really stronger than an army made up of civilians. They also have the feeling that for the moment, armymen are paid for doing nothing, because they are not engaged in a war, which is the only utility of the army. So they think the government is wasting money that could be used on better causes.

Today, in France, the military service is not compulsory any more but the country has a professional army. The government doesn’t seem to want to make things change, and soon they are likely to think of a european professional army. So in fact, the idea of the need for a professional army is bound to stay.

Florent