Ethics and Intelligence activity for National Security

Abstract

Questions about the ethical dimension of those involved in intelligence activities for the purpose of safeguarding national security require careful attention to questions that may conflict with the ethical principles that underpin liberal democracies; however, there are ethical principles and theories that are the basis for intelligence activities that seek the common good and the strengthening of national security. The objective of this article is to analyze ethics and intelligence activities for national security that seek the preservation of its democratic principles and human rights. To address the analysis of this problem, the qualitative approach method, documentary and bibliographic analysis were used. The most relevant results took as a basis for study 2,200 articles, of which 85% were scientific texts related to ethics and intelligence for national security. The research addressed aspects such as the ethical complexities in intelligence activities, the need for an approach that respects human rights and democratic principles and their relationship with national security. The main conclusion is that the theory of “fair intelligence” proposes to ensure that intelligence activity is carried out in an ethical manner, respecting citizens’ rights and the rule of law, while seeking to protect national security and the survival of the state; another conclusion is related to the advancement of disruptive technologies that pose new ethical challenges in intelligence, especially those related to privacy and state control, intelligence agencies must face difficulties when handling personal information and balancing security with citizens’ rights.