Intelligence elites and public accountability : relationships of influence with civil society / Vian Bakir.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Intelligence elites and civil society : a new research agenda -- Civil society, intelligence elites and influence : a systematic review -- Theorising intelligence elite public accountability -- Studying intelligence elites, civil society and relationships of influence -- The torture-intelligence issue : relationships of influence during journalism-as-usual -- The mass surveillance issue : relationships of influence during whistleblowing -- Conclusion : towards better public accountability of intelligence elites.

"This book provides an overview of the relationships of influence between civil society and intelligence elites. The secrecy surrounding intelligence means that publication of intelligence is highly restricted, barring occasional whistle-blowing and sanitised official leaks. These characteristics mean that intelligence, if publicised, can be highly manipulated by intelligence elites, while civil society's ability to assess and verify claims is compromised by absence of independent evidence. There are few studies on the relationship between civil society and intelligence elites, which makes it hard to form assessments or practical recommendations regarding public oversight of intelligence elites. This book analyses two case studies of global political significance. The intelligence practices they focus on (contemporary mass surveillance and Bush-era torture-intelligence policies) have been presented as vital in fighting the 'Global War on Terror', enmeshing governments of scores of nation-states, while challenging internationally established human rights to privacy and to freedom from torture and enforced disappearance. The book aims to synthesise what is known on relationships of influence between civil society and intelligence elites. It makes original recommendations for how a variety of academic disciplines most likely to study the relationship between civil society and intelligence elites (international relations, history, journalism and media) could productively cross-fertilise. Finally, it aims to create a practical benchmark to enable civil society to better hold intelligence elites publicly accountable. This book will be of great interest to students of intelligence studies, surveillance, civil society, democracy and IR in general"-- Provided by publisher.