| ID | 081904 |
| Title Proper | Church committee investigation of 1975 and the evolution of modern intelligence accountability |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Johnson, Loch K |
| Publication | 2008. |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Since 1975, lawmakers have displayed four responses to the call for greater intelligence accountability on Capitol Hill. Some have taken the approach of 'ostriches', content to bury their heads in the sand and continue the earlier era of trust when members of Congress deferred to the decisions of the executive branch within the domains of intelligence. Others - indeed, a majority - have chosen to become unalloyed boosters for intelligence -' cheerleaders' who view their job primarily as one of explaining the value of intelligence to the American people and supporting intelligence missions with robust funding and encouragement. Taking the opposite approach, another set of lawmakers - the 'lemon-suckers' - have consistently found fault with America's attempts to spy on adversaries or overthrow regimes that fail to accommodate US interests. Finally, some lawmakers have been 'guardians', striking a balance between serving as partners of the intelligence agencies on Capitol Hill and, through a persistent examination of budgets and operations, demanding competence and law-abiding behavior from these agencies. The guardian model fits best into the framework of democratic theory. |
| `In' analytical Note | Intelligence and National Security Vol. 23, No.2; Apr 2008: p198-225 |
| Journal Source | Intelligence and National Security Vol. 23, No.2; Apr 2008: p198-225 |
| Key Words | Intelligence ; CIA ; United States |