08 September 2005
Liberty vs. Security
National Public Radio's Morning Edition had a very interesting story this morning about the significant increase in the amount of government documents being classified since September 11, 2001. According to the report, in 2005, more than twice the amount of document were classified than in 2001.
The NPR story brings up just one subject in a much larger issue, that is, the inherent tension in pursuing the twin aims of liberty and security. In American governance, one must consider that principles of freedom ought be pursued the fullest extent possible. Included in such principles is the idea that an American citizen should and must be mindful of government action. The only way to diligently perform a citizen's duty to be so informed is to be able to monitor government documents so as to ensure accountability. Thus, the Freedom of Information Act, and other such laws are crucial to keeping an informed citizenry.
However, one must realize that not all government action should be freely monitored. Put simply, there are areas of governance that would be jeopardized by information being freely available to anyone. There is no doubt that National Security (common defence) is the area most jeopardized by the free flow of information. Put simply, in order to keep its citizenry safe and secure, the government must take away a certain degree of freedom.
The propriety of extent to which liberty is sacrificed for the sake of security is judged by history. However, as the NPR story notes, one can all-too-easily imagine that a government employee will, by nature, err on the side of secrecy, if there is any potential for harm as a result of disclosure.
And we, the People must be resolved to have faith in those decisions.
Freedom & Progress welcomes a discussion.
The NPR story brings up just one subject in a much larger issue, that is, the inherent tension in pursuing the twin aims of liberty and security. In American governance, one must consider that principles of freedom ought be pursued the fullest extent possible. Included in such principles is the idea that an American citizen should and must be mindful of government action. The only way to diligently perform a citizen's duty to be so informed is to be able to monitor government documents so as to ensure accountability. Thus, the Freedom of Information Act, and other such laws are crucial to keeping an informed citizenry.
However, one must realize that not all government action should be freely monitored. Put simply, there are areas of governance that would be jeopardized by information being freely available to anyone. There is no doubt that National Security (common defence) is the area most jeopardized by the free flow of information. Put simply, in order to keep its citizenry safe and secure, the government must take away a certain degree of freedom.
The propriety of extent to which liberty is sacrificed for the sake of security is judged by history. However, as the NPR story notes, one can all-too-easily imagine that a government employee will, by nature, err on the side of secrecy, if there is any potential for harm as a result of disclosure.
And we, the People must be resolved to have faith in those decisions.
Freedom & Progress welcomes a discussion.
# posted by Publicola @ 12:32 PM 
