History, a double-edged sword for the intelligence field

The use of history in intelligence and its limitations


Essay, 2017

6 Pages, Grade: 60.00


Abstract or Introduction

The relationship between the study of history and the field of intelligence is intriguing and multi-faceted at the same time. The general assumption is that "by studying history, intelligence agencies can learn from past mistakes and aim to improve their performance" (Efren Torres). However, the truth of this belief must be weighed against some limitations that historians meet and that could affect their work.

Foremost, there is the problem of the bias of historians and how it can affect the objectivity of their work; secondly, the lack of applicable patterns in using history as a source from which to glean lessons learned; lastly, the inevitable gaps that historians encounter in seeking evidence of the past. This essay focuses on these limitations and on the extent to which they can affect the intelligence performance. It will be argued that the study of history is a double-edged sword to the intelligence field.

Details

Title
History, a double-edged sword for the intelligence field
Subtitle
The use of history in intelligence and its limitations
College
Brunel University  (College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences)
Course
MA Intelligence & Security Studies
Grade
60.00
Author
Year
2017
Pages
6
Catalog Number
V356796
ISBN (eBook)
9783668438347
ISBN (Book)
9783668438354
File size
638 KB
Language
English
Keywords
intelligence, secretservices, history, spy, secondworldwar, greece, MI6, MI5, historylimitations, epistemology, epistemologicallimitation
Quote paper
Giovanni Coletta (Author), 2017, History, a double-edged sword for the intelligence field, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/356796

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