Author(s): Ioana LEUCEA
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: June 30, 2020
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 23/2020
DOI:
Abstract
There is considerable debate as to how intelligence should be defined. Should a
definition include covert action or secrecy as being an important part of the activity? Is
it relevant intelligence to be defined as the knowledge and foreknowledge necessary to
address the external threats or different risks? The article upholds the idea that defining
intelligence, implicitly or explicitly, involves adopting and assuming IR theoretical
prepositions and intends to explore the implications of IR constructivist assumptions in
defining intelligence. In our opinion, the task of defining intelligence is provocative
because it is very difficult to reach an objective definition delineated from subjective
views imbued in the author`s creeds of the preferable world system. For instance,
defining intelligence in terms of agency through which states seek to protect or extend
their relative advantage places the author in a political culture of organizing the world
in realist perspective, with predefined actors, and reveals the dependence to particular
security culture.
IR constructivist approach generates alternative interpretations of world
politics therefore defining intelligence through constructivist lenses would lead to new
hermeneutics, allowing us to critically interpret the classical definitions of intelligence
and envisage the way forward regarding the intelligence reform.
Keywords: definition, intelligence, IR theory, constructivism, security culture
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