Covert Action and Democracy Values Conflict

Covert Action and Democracy Values Conflict

Ken Ros

INTL415

Covert Action

March 31, 2013

Professor Joy Patton

Since the beginning of the formation of the United States the government has been involved in intelligence gathering applications in order to preserve the national security. During the revolutionary war intelligence espionage was essential in President’s Washington agenda in order to win the battle war.1 The intelligence apparatus continue to grow throughout the years till other intelligence capabilities were born and technologies advances made the current ones more proficient. Intelligence gathering and exploitation by itself could not deter the growing issues on enemies domestically and abroad making the need for more proactive actions necessary in order to persuade enemies of the US and its allies to conform to its interests. With this in mind the need for covert action was greatly needed. During World War I (WWI) and II (WWII) the US and its allies applied Psychological Operations or PsyOps in order to deter the enemies’ intentions.2 From this application to later subsequent covert actions the outcomes were defined as positive of negative base on the views of the general public ethical values. Not often covert actions have proven to be successful on ethical values that can be driven by the definition of democratic values. Many citizens view covert actions as an illegal action that goes against the core values of democracy. The argument of covert action necessity will continue to exist along the lines of its outcomes. If the outcomes are positive for the American population and national security will most likely acquire a sentiment of support. If the actions have a negative impact in the American population and national security the actions will most likely be deem as unnecessary and illegal. The definition of democracy values and covert action, the outcome of covert action and the effects to the US image as a democratic leader will help...