Carnegie Council

People Topics

Text Size: A A

Public Policy, Secret Action [Abstract]

Ethics & International Affairs, Volume 3 (1989)

William E. Colby

December 2, 1989

Exploitation of the executive exercise of covert operations has presented a dilemma, but Colby maintains that even in peacetime a "democratic society must have and respect some secrets." Does democracy, by its inherent nature, preclude the employment of covert action, even under exceptional conditions? Colby argues that the constitutional decision-making process is an ethical and legal one. In wartime, a "just" war is the goal, and the use of covert action must be evaluated by two essential criteria: self-defense and proportionality to the act requiring self-defense.

To read or purchase the full text of this article, click here.

Read More: Democracy, Security, National Security

blog comments powered by Disqus

About the Journal

The Carnegie Council's flagship publication, Ethics & International Affairs is an interdisciplinary resource for scholars, students, and policy analysts concerned with the moral dimensions of global issues. The journal covers global justice, civil society, democratization, international law, intervention, sanctions, and related topics.

Search the Journal

ETHICS & INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
25TH ANNIVERSARY

25 year anniversary EIA celebrates 25 years, 1987-2011

SUBSCRIPTIONS
To subscribe to Ethics & International Affairs, or to purchase individual issues and articles, please contact Cambridge University Press.

CALL FOR PAPERS
We are currently accepting submissions for upcoming issues of the journal. For more information, click here.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
For submission guidelines, click here.

RESPONSES
The Editors welcome responses to Features and Essays published in Ethics & International Affairs. To be considered for publication, responses should be no longer than one thousand words, including endnotes (which should be kept to a minimum). Responses are not peer-reviewed, and are published at the Editors' discretion. All responses are subject to editing for length and style. In the event of any questions or substantive editing, the response will be returned to the author for final approval prior to publication. Responses are published online, alongside the article they address.