The gathering of information by the Intelligence Services is now an issue of major importance in the modern world. But what are the ethical responsibilities of these bodies? How is that intelligence collected, assessed and used? What is the impact and significance of the new protective state that has been constructed in Whitehall over the years since 2001? With new threats appearing to society both at home and abroad and sweeping changes being made to the law and Government, intelligence and police authorities where does the debate now take us? All these matters raise profound questions for the nature and future of democracy and human rights. These are considered and analysed by those the cutting edge of the debate in this brilliant book.

Table of Contents

Introduction by Peter Hennessy; 1. From Secret State to Protective State; 2. Protecting the Citizen in the 21st Century; 3. Terrorist Challenge; 4. Reflections on Secret Intelligence; 5. Just Intelligence: Prolegomena to an Ethical Theory; 6. The Ethics of Using Secret Intelligence; 7. Ethics and Intelligence; Conclusion.

Author Biography

Peter Hennessey is Attlee Professor of Contemporary History at The University of London (Queen Mary College).