Democracy declassified : the secrecy dilemma in national security /
Colaresi, Michael P.Author
This title tackles an enduring question of particular current importance: How do democratic governments balance the need for foreign policy secrecy with accountability to the public? This book presents the first evidence that national security oversight institutions, while imperfect, both constrain the executive from abuse and convince members of the public to be less sceptical of investments in security. Democratic foreign policy effectiveness depends not only on executive discretion to keep national security secrets, but also on effective retrospective oversight from outside the executive.
Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph
Includes bibliographical references and index.
This title tackles an enduring question of particular current importance: How do democratic governments balance the need for foreign policy secrecy with accountability to the public? This book presents the first evidence that national security oversight institutions, while imperfect, both constrain the executive from abuse and convince members of the public to be less sceptical of investments in security. Democratic foreign policy effectiveness depends not only on executive discretion to keep national security secrets, but also on effective retrospective oversight from outside the executive.
Description based on online resource; title from home page (viewed on September 2, 2014).
Theories of democratic transparency and foreign policy success -- Not so exceptional : the theory, uses, and reality of national security secrecy in democracies -- The potential abuses of national security secrecy -- The consequences of potential abuse for public consent -- Solving the secrecy dilemma -- The consequences of national security oversight in democracies -- A view of national security oversight institutions -- Revealing evidence : support, spending and success -- Conclusion -- Implications and innovations -- Apendices: formal models, data and statistical result.
Official secrets
Government information
Security classification (Government documents)
Democracy
National security
Internal security
Government accountability
Government - General
Law, Politics & Government
Political Institutions & Public Administration - General