# Chapter VI: The Industrial Army and the New Social Order explained — Looking Backward > Chapter companion for Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy. ## What happens Dr. Leete explains to Julian West the organization of labor in the year 2000, describing the industrial army system where all citizens serve for 24 years from age 21 to 45. He contrasts this with the inefficiencies and inequities of 19th-century capitalism, arguing that when the nation became the sole employer, the labor problem was solved. Dr. Leete also addresses Julian's concerns about government corruption, explaining that the new social system eliminates motives for dishonesty. ## Themes in this chapter ### Economic System and Cooperation Dr. Leete explains how the nation as sole employer and the industrial army system create a cooperative economic order, eliminating the labor problem. ### Labor and Dignity of Work The chapter emphasizes the duty of every citizen to contribute industrial or intellectual services, with service seen as natural and honorable. ### Critique of Capitalism and Consumerism Dr. Leete critiques the inefficiencies and inequities of 19th-century capitalism, where vast numbers could not find work and the employing power was divided. ## Character check-ins ### Julian West Julian listens to Dr. Leete's explanation of the industrial army and questions the extension of government functions and the potential for corruption. ### Dr. Leete Dr. Leete describes the industrial army system, the 24-year service term, Muster Day, and how the nation's assumption of capital solved the labor problem. ## Key lines > The people were already accustomed to the idea that the obligation of every citizen, not physically disabled, to contribute his military services to the defense of the nation was equal and absolute. Citizens were used to the idea that everyone who was able had an equal duty to serve in the military, and now the same principle applies to industrial service. _Dr. Leete explains the logical extension of military conscription to industrial labor._ > Our entire social order is so wholly based upon and deduced from it that if it were conceivable that a man could escape it, he would be left with no possible way to provide for his existence. The whole society depends on universal service; if someone could avoid it, they would have no means of survival. _Dr. Leete emphasizes the inevitability and centrality of industrial service._ > We have no wars now, and our governments no war powers, but in order to protect every citizen against hunger, cold, and nakedness, and provide for all his physical and mental needs, the function is assumed of directing his industry for a term of years. Today there are no wars, so government power is used not for war but to ensure everyone's basic needs are met by directing their work for a set period. _Dr. Leete contrasts the old government's war-making with the new government's welfare role._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/looking_backward_se/chapters/vi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/looking_backward_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/looking_backward_se/chapters