Spies and their masters : intelligence-policy relations in democratic countries / Matteo Faini.

Introduction : democracies, intelligence agencies and the neglected problem of subversion -- The paradox of subversion : a theory of intelligence-policy relations in democratic countries -- British intelligence and subversion in the 1920s -- The Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1908-1948 : from a law enforcement bureau to a political intelligence agency -- The establishment and evolution of the Central Intelligence Agency -- Italian military intelligence, 1943-1964 -- Conclusion.

"This book delves into the secret histories of the CIA, the FBI and British and Italian intelligence to study how policymakers can control intelligence agencies and when these agencies will try to remove their own government. For every government they serve, intelligence agencies are both a threat and a necessity. They often provide vital information for national security, but the secrets they possess can also be used against their own masters. This book introduces subversion paradox theory to provide a social scientific explanation of the unequal power dynamic resulting from an often-fraught relationship between agencies and their 'masters'. The author also makes a case for the existence of 'deep state' conspiracies, including in highly developed democracies, and cautions those who denounce their existence that trying to control intelligence by politicizing it is likely to backfire. An important intervention in the field of intelligence studies, this book will be indispensable for intelligence professionals and policymakers in understanding and bridging the cultural divide between these two groups. It will also make for a fascinating and informative read to scholars and researchers of diplomacy, foreign policy, international relations, strategic and defence studies, security studies, political studies, policy making, and comparative politics"-- Provided by publisher.

OCLC-licensed vendor bibliographic record.