Résumé
The emerging disarmament prospects bring back to the forefront the issue of a "butter-gums" transaction. Rather than a general theory, empirical results are sought here. Through the study of 18 fiscal years in France and Belgium, we try to show which function of the government has been, and could be, the counterpart of military expenditures in this transaction. In both countries the social-health-employment sector appears as the most likely candidate. Coauthors are Pierre Lelubre, Jacques Percebois, and Wally Struys.