How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
This was war. War against irresponsibility, against those elements that were sabotaging—and such sabotage was clearly intolerable—the engines of the state, against the wholesale flouting of reasonable and liberal laws, especially that law which, for the community's good, sought to limit the growth of population. All over the planet, said the luminous face with gravity, the leaders of state would be speaking—tonight or tomorrow—in similar urgent terms to their various peoples; the whole world was declaring war on itself. (1.13.1)
The "war" against "irresponsibility" that Prime Minister Starling announces to the people of England marks the beginning of the repressive police state. As the global food crops fail and people turn against the government, the government turns against the people.
Quote #2
'Oh,' said the man. 'Well, there's not a lot I can tell you. There doesn't seem to be a central government at the moment, but we're trying to improvise some kind of regional law and order. A sort of martial law you could call it. You behold in me one of the resuscitated military. I'm a soldier.' He snorted another laugh. (4.2.7)
After both the central government and the repressive police state crumble, the people of England turn away from civil policing altogether, and embrace martial law instead. Since there have been no real wars on Earth for generations, the whole idea of a national army seems homespun, heroic, and like a nice change of pace.
Quote #3
By what hypocritical gesture of the head were the supplies being maintained? Civilian contracts with no questions asked; the troops called the anonymous tinned meat 'bully', and there was no such animal as that; the keeping of law and order was not incompatible with tolerance of the quiet work of the slaughter-house. Martial law was the only way, Tristram supposed. An army being primarily an organization set up for mass murder, morality could never be its concern. (4.8.6)
Although the repressive police state declared an outright war on the British people, the men behind the martial law are doing things with more subtlety. Quite early on, Tristram begins to realize that the rule and order maintained by the British Army is compatible with the murder and cannibalism of citizens.