From Oversight to Undersight: the Internationalization of Intelligence – Jelle van Buuren

Title: From Oversight to Undersight: the Internationalization of Intelligence
Author: Jelle van Buuren

From Oversight to Undersight: the Internationalization of Intelligence [van Buuren]

Abstract

Due to the globalization and nodalisation of intelligence resulting in hybrid intelligence assemblages well-known problems related to overseeing intelligence are deteriorating. Not only does the international cooperation between intelligence services contribute to this problem, but especially the internationalization of intelligence collection meaning that as a consequence of technological and market transformations intelligence collection has become footloose and can be conducted remotely. In that way it leaves any idea of national sovereignty or the national protection of civil rights increasingly obsolete. Instead of oversight by institutions the real counter-power in post-democratic constellations seems to be practised by whistleblowers and investigative journalists. Sousveillance or undersight therefore seems to be the most important current oversight mechanism.

Keywords

intelligence; oversight; undersight; sousveillance; post democracy; globalisation; hybrid intelligence assemblages; privatisation of intelligence

Metadata

Title: From Oversight to Undersight: the Internationalization of Intelligence
Author: Jelle van Buuren
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18750230-02404003
Language: English
Year: 2013
Volume: 24
Issue: 3–4
Pages: 239–252
In: Security and Human Rights
E-ISSN: 1875-0230