Can democracy afford effective intelligence services without violating the norms, procedures, and institutions of democracy itself? The answer to this question is not evident at all. The principles of liberal democracy often stand in opposition to the modi operandi of intelligence services. There are so many examples of that rule, and many of them can be found in consolidated and unconsolidated democracies. On the one hand, intelligence agencies (special or security services) have destructive potential for the political system. On the other hand, they are necessary to cope with threats to national security that affect democratic states.
KBN Analysis no. 2 (82) / 2021
2 March 2021
Can democracy afford effective intelligence services without violating the norms, procedures, and institutions of democracy itself? The answer to this question is not evident at all. The principles of liberal democracy often stand in opposition to the modi operandi of intelligence services. There are so many examples of that rule, and many of them can be found in consolidated and unconsolidated democracies. On the one hand, intelligence agencies (special or security services) have destructive potential for the political system. On the other hand, they are necessary to cope with threats to national security that affect democratic states.
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