Intelligence Agencies, Technology and Knowledge Production: Data Processing and Information Transfer in Secret Services during the Cold War

This volume explores the role of intelligence services as knowledge producers since 1945, focusing on the transformations brought about by scientization and computerization during the Cold War. It challenges the bipolarity of Cold War history and adopts a comparative and transnational perspective, examining the Soviet Union, the United States, Poland, Turkey, the two German states, and Brazil. The book reveals commonalities across systems and contributes to understanding the societal consequences of intelligence data processing.

Format: Hardback
Length: 298 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Since 1945, intelligence services have played a crucial role as knowledge producers, providing valuable insights into various aspects of society. However, there is a significant gap in our understanding of the social, cultural, and material dimensions of their knowledge production, processing, and distribution. This volume aims to address this issue by examining the transformations that intelligence agencies underwent during the Cold War, particularly in terms of scientization and computerization.

The book adopts a novel approach by exploring the emerging alliances between intelligence agencies, science, and technology. Through empirical analysis, the chapters delve into these transformations and offer innovative combinations of intelligence history with theoretical considerations from the history of science and technology and the history of knowledge.

At the same time, the book challenges the traditional bipolarity of Cold War history and intelligence history, advocating for comparative and transnational perspectives. The focus extends beyond the Soviet Union and the United States to include Poland, Turkey, the two German states, and Brazil, thus providing a comprehensive understanding of knowledge production and use across different systems.

One of the key findings of the book is that the expansion and use of intelligence knowledge often encountered limitations stemming from the inherent characteristics of intelligence culture. This insight sheds light on the complex interplay between technology, society, and the cultural norms that shape intelligence practices.

The book not only enriches our global understanding of knowledge of the state but also contributes to a historical framework for the past decade of debates about the societal consequences of intelligence data processing. It will be of immense interest to students of intelligence studies, science and technology studies, security studies, and International Relations, as it provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of knowledge production and its impact on society.

Weight: 730g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367706395