Security versus Liberty
Question 1
The intelligence system in the U.S. significantly evolved following the 9/11 terrorist attack. The Department of Homeland Security, for example, was incepted to reduce security threats in the country. The security system in the U.S. involves intelligence systems that have, for the longest time, focused outside the country’s borders. The FBI is tasked with maintaining security through intelligence collection within the U.S. borders. However, there have been arguments for the establishment of an independent internal intelligence body over the years. Such a move has been argued to duplicate the already existing FBI function. Having a domestic intelligence organization has been regarded as infringing on American liberties. Over the years, several agencies have been incepted under the DHS.
Fusion centers, for example, exist and have been the center of controversy. These centers are a collection of different intelligence security agencies (Dahl, 2011). Intelligence involves the collection of personal information and data. It is in this regard that infringement of the right to privacy is debatable. Even though the use of personal information has led to the arrest of terror suspects and foiled potential terror attacks, the issue of liberty remains. Wiretapping following the 9/11 attack, for example, remains controversial (Snowball, 2018). Despite the U.S. not having an official domestic intelligence organization, local intelligence exists. It is thus a case of Americans spying on fellow Americans. It no longer focuses on foreign intelligence but equally focuses on domestic information as well. In this regard, the U.S. has established a sizeable local intelligence establishment. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Question 2
The lack of a significant terror attack on the scale of 9/11 is indicative that subsequent security measures have been effective. A considerable margin has thus made security progress. The stride has, however, come with its challenges that hugely include the debate concerning security vs. liberties. The U.S. is known globally as the country that has the highest level of freedom (Stimson & Grossman, 2011). Over the years, however, balancing security and liberty has become a daunting task. As more security measures are put in place that includes domestic intelligence, privacy freedom seems to disintegrate. Knowledge concerning terrorism involves collecting personal information. Personal information in this regard requires bank details, health records, and phone records, for example. Unauthorized access to such data is deemed an infringement of personal privacy. However, security organizations deem it necessary in efforts to beef up security.
Customs searches are also deemed too stringent and an intrusion to privacy. It is important to note that there would not be any liberties to enjoy without security. Security is thus paramount in the fight for rights. Maintaining a balance between safety and freedom is, therefore, not possible. One has to override the other. In this case, security overrides liberty. It is the price that has to be paid since threats have evolved and continue to grow. Previous security measures may, in this regard, be invalid. The case of a court order ordering Apple to help the FBI access the phone of a terrorist (Mockaitis, 2017) is indicative of the debate between security and liberty. Accessing the phone records of the terrorist would be instrumental as concerns security. The access would, however, be indicative of a lack of privacy for American citizens. The Patriot Act, which allows government agencies to collect private information, is yet another example of security overriding liberty (Dahl, 2011).
References
Dahl, E. (2011). Domestic Intelligence Today: More Security but Less Liberty? – Homeland
Security Affairs. Homeland Security Affairs. Retrieved 11 March 2020, from https://www.hsaj.org/articles/67.
Mockaitis, T. (2017). Security vs. Civil Liberties. Huffpost.com. Retrieved 11 March 2020, from
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/security-vs-civil-liberties_b_9273478.
Snowball, T. (2018). Liberty is more important than security | Pacific Legal Foundation. Pacific
Legal Foundation. Retrieved 11 March 2020, from https://pacificlegal.org/liberty-is-more-important-than-security/.
Stimson, C., & Grossman, A. (2011). How Must America Balance Security and Liberty. The
Heritage Foundation. Retrieved 11 March 2020, from https://www.heritage.org/homeland-security/report/how-must-america-balance-security-and-liberty