The Handbook of Latin American and Caribbean Intelligence Cultures

The Handbook of Latin American and Caribbean Intelligence Cultures explores the efforts of Latin American and Caribbean nations to develop democratic intelligence cultures, challenging the traditional notion of intelligence services as secretive and effective. It highlights the challenges faced by these countries in balancing democracy and intelligence, including the legacy of repressive military regimes and civil wars, politicians' lack of interest or expertise, and the need to overcome public distrust. The volume provides insights into the legal basis for intelligence, democratic control and oversight mechanisms, and intelligence openness, transparency, and outreach.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 414 pages
Publication date: 16 April 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The Handbook of Latin American and Caribbean Intelligence Cultures delves into the contemporary endeavors of Latin American and Caribbean nations to establish intelligence cultures. It specifically examines their efforts to democratize their intelligence agencies, aiming to transform former military regimes' repressive security apparatuses into democratic intelligence communities. This endeavor presents a paradoxical challenge, as democracy necessitates political neutrality, transparency, and accountability, while effective intelligence services require secrecy. Even the most successful democracies grapple with this dichotomy. The legacy of oppressive military regimes or brutal civil wars, coupled with politicians' lack of interest or expertise in intelligence matters, further complicates the region's quest for a harmonious balance between democracy and intelligence. This volume chronicles the region's attempts to surmount these obstacles and pursue the development of democratic intelligence institutions. It encompasses efforts to reform the legal framework for intelligence, establish democratic control and oversight mechanisms, and promote intelligence openness, transparency, and outreach.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 230 x 151 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538197691