Secrets and Leaks: The Dilemma of State Secrecy - Couverture rigide

Sagar, Rahul

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0691149879 ISBN 13 : 9780691149875

Editeur : Princeton University Press, 2013

Synopsis

Secrets and Leaks examines the complex relationships among executive power, national security, and secrecy. State secrecy is vital for national security, but it can also be used to conceal wrongdoing. How then can we ensure that this power is used responsibly? Typically, the onus is put on lawmakers and judges, who are expected to oversee the executive. Yet because these actors lack access to the relevant information and the ability to determine the harm likely to be caused by its disclosure, they often defer to the executive's claims about the need for secrecy. As a result, potential abuses are more often exposed by unauthorized disclosures published in the press.

But should such disclosures, which violate the law, be condoned? Drawing on several cases, Rahul Sagar argues that though whistleblowing can be morally justified, the fear of retaliation usually prompts officials to act anonymously--that is, to leak information. As a result, it becomes difficult for the public to discern when an unauthorized disclosure is intended to further partisan interests. Because such disclosures are the only credible means of checking the executive, Sagar writes, they must be tolerated. However, the public should treat such disclosures skeptically and subject irresponsible journalism to concerted criticism.

A propos du livre

À propos de l'auteur

Rahul Sagar is assistant professor of politics at Princeton University.

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Princeton University Press
• Date d'édition: 2013
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0691149879
• ISBN 13: 9780691149875
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 304
• Coordonnées du fabricant: Buchpark GmbH; https://www.buchpark.de; ; Krügerweg 1; Trebbin; Brandenburg; 14959; Allemagne