The Politics of Intelligence Accountability

Accountability is one of the core concepts in a democratic order. Accountability means to have an obligation to explain and justify one's actions. Contained within the straightforward obligation to explain and justify one's actions are a series interrelated sets of questions that transform the concept of accountability into a political question in which the targets of accountability, the standards employed, the identity of those making accountability judgments, and the purpose of the accountability inquiry are all contested. In short, they are political questions. This article discusses the...

Accountability is one of the core concepts in a democratic order. Accountability means to have an obligation to explain and justify one's actions. Contained within the straightforward obligation to explain and justify one's actions are a series interrelated sets of questions that transform the concept of accountability into a political question in which the targets of accountability, the standards employed, the identity of those making accountability judgments, and the purpose of the accountability inquiry are all contested. In short, they are political questions. This article discusses the various questions contained in the concept of accountability. It also examines how these questions relate to intelligence accountability. The article ends with a discussion on the resulting contextual and political nature of intelligence accountability.