What Do Leaders Ask of Intelligence? Theorizing Policymaker Demand for Intelligence During Crises
45 Pages Posted: 24 Mar 2017
Date Written: March 23, 2017
Abstract
What explains variation in policymaker demand for intelligence? When do policymakers request “just the facts?” When do they also solicit the judgments of intelligence agencies? In making their requests, why do policymakers sometimes adopt intrusive postures toward intelligence agencies and at other times treat them deferentially? In this paper, I develop a very preliminary typology of policymaker demand for intelligence. I derive hypotheses from existing International Relations theories to explain why policymakers adopt certain patterns of demand for intelligence during crises. I discuss the important effects of these patterns of demand on intelligence effectiveness and overall decision-making. Finally, I explore potential ways to test the theory empirically.
Keywords: intelligence, crisis decision-making
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