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Rethinking the Just Intelligence Theory of National Security Intelligence Collection and Analysis

The Principles of Discrimination, Necessity, Proportionality and Reciprocity

Bibliographic Data

ID21503785
AuthorsSeumas Miller (0000-0002-4851-3177, Australian Graduate School in Policing and Security Studies, Charles Sturt University, Canberra, Australia, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume35
Issue3
Pages211-231
Publication date2021-05-04
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Epistemology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0269-1728 • E-ISSN: 1464-5297
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02691728.2020.1855484
OpenAlexW3129256080
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited23

In this article, it is argued that the constitutive principles of Just War Theory and the jus ad bellum/jus in bello duality do not transfer all that well to national security intelligence activity. Accordingly, while Just Intelligence Theory – comprising jus ad intelligentiam and jus in intelligentia – provides a useful starting point in the construction of a normative framework for national security intelligence activities, ultimately it is found to be wanting in a number of important respects. For instance, while war ought to be a last resort, intelligence collection and analysis ought to be a first resort. In addition, analyses are offered of the key principles of discrimination, necessity and proportionality, and it is shown in general terms how they apply, or ought to apply, to national security intelligence activity. Importantly, the principle of necessity has been given a novel analysis according to which it is in reality a set of different principles, depending on the institutional setting in which it is being used. Moreover, the analysis reveals that as typically used it consists (in part) of a means/end principle of rationality and one or other versions of a principle of harm minimisation. Finally, it is argued that there is a normative principle governing espionage, in particular, that is not a constitutive principle of Just War Theory; this is a principle of reciprocity

Epistemology · Espionage · Harm · Just war theory · Law and economics · National security · Normative · Political science · Rationality · Social science · Sociology · Spanish Civil War · Global Peace and Security Dynamics · Law · Philosophy · Torture, Ethics, and Law · War, Ethics, and Justification

  • National security intelligence activity

    Open Access•Seumas Miller•Intelligence & National Security•2022

  • Intelligence for human security

    Open Access•Steven Stottlemyre•Intelligence & National Security•2024

  • A fundamental re-conceputalization of intelligence

    James L Cox, James Cox•Intelligence & National Security•2022

  • Kant’s Spies

    Open Access•Juan Espindola, Jorge Omar Rodríguez Ramírez•Kant-Studien•2025

  • Bargaining with criminals

    Open Access•Juan Espindola•Theoretical Criminology•2022

  • Women in Intelligence

    Open Access•Djoko Andoko, Poppy Setiawati Nurisnaeny et al.•Gender Issues•2024

  • Responsible Peacemakers

    Open Access•Filip Scherf, Filip J Scherf•Ethics & International Affairs•2025

  • War and Self-Defense

    David Rodin•War and self-defense•2002

  • Killing in War

    Jeff Mcmahan•Killing in war•2009

  • Defensive Killing

    Helen Frowe•Defensive Killing•2014

  • Just War, Just Intelligence

    Angela Gendron•International Journal of…•2005

  • Philosophy and Public Policy

    Open Access•Sven Ove Hansson, Oskar Hansson•Theoria•2012

  • The Sage Encyclopedia of Surveillance, Security, and Privacy

    Bruce A Arrigo, Bruce Arrigo•The Sage Encyclopedia of…•2018

  • The concept of security

    Open Access•David A Baldwin•Review of International Studies•1997

  • Necessity in Self‐Defense and War

    Open Access•Seth Lazar•Philosophy & Public Affairs•2012

  • Proportionality in the Morality of War

    Open Access•Thomas Hurka•Philosophy & Public Affairs•2005

Citations per year1.75
Citation span2022 - 2025 (4)
Highly citedNo

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