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Intelligence Intervention in the Politics of Democratic States

The United States, Israel, and Britain

Uri Bar-Joseph author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Pennsylvania State University Press

Published:22nd May '95

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Intelligence Intervention in the Politics of Democratic States cover

This book studies intelligence intervention in politics in the modern democratic state. In theory, intelligence work should be objective, autonomous, and free of political influence; at its best, it should be guided solely by the professional ethic of intelligence. In reality, however, unavoidable political pressures, as well as bureaucratic and personal interests, can and often do influence the conduct of intelligence work. In tracing and explaining the effects of these pressures and interests on the behavior of intelligence organizations and individuals, Uri Bar-Joseph analyzes four cases of intelligence intervention in politics: the 1961 Bay of Pigs episode; the 1954 Israeli "Unfortunate Business Affair"; the 1920 British "Henry Wilson Affair"; and the 1924 “Zinoviev Letter Affair."

“Uri Bar-Joseph has written a fascinating and well-researched book that explores what can happen when secret intelligence services in democratic societies violate their charters and allow political zeal to overcome professional duties. His case studies alone are worth the price of the book—they explore a wealth of new material—and his section on theory should be welcome to any serious student of strategic intelligence.”

—Arthur S. Hulnick,Boston University


“Uri Bar-Joseph’s research into archives in three countries is impressive. His recommendation that intelligence services should be more closely supervised by those outside the executive office will be widely supported, not least because of his new and thoughtful arguments in favor of the proposition. The book should become the authoritative work in its field, and being well-written will command a wide readership.”

—Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones,University of Edinburgh

ISBN: 9780271013312

Dimensions: 229mm x 152mm x 30mm

Weight: 866g

412 pages