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 language | English |
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Title of host publication | The Ethics of National Security Intelligence Institutions |
Subtitle of host publication | Theory and Applications |
Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
Pages | 163-184 |
Number of pages | 22 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781040021958 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780367617561 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2024 |