Beyond Independence: The Ethics of Trustworthy Intelligence Institutions

Adam Henschke*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
132 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The focus of this chapter is on the relationships between intelligence institutions and other political institutions. I suggest that there is a commonly held belief that intelligence and politics ought to be independent. On this analysis, this independence is bidirectional: intelligence practices and institutions need to be independent of political influence, and political actors and institutions need to be independent of the influence of intelligence actors. However, I then show that this is a myth, but a noble one that has a sound moral foundation. Looking to this foundation, I argue that what ought to be aimed is that intelligence institutions are worthy of trust. I then offer three different elements of trust: reliability, predictability, and correct intention, to show how the aspirational elements captured in the independence myth can be met by having trustworthy intelligence institutions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Ethics of National Security Intelligence Institutions
Subtitle of host publicationTheory and Applications
PublisherTaylor & Francis
Pages163-184
Number of pages22
ISBN (Electronic)9781040021958
ISBN (Print)9780367617561
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2024

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