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State Secrets and Executive Power
Author(s) -
WEAVER WILLIAM G.,
PALLITTO ROBERT M.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
political science quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1538-165X
pISSN - 0032-3195
DOI - 10.1002/j.1538-165x.2005.tb00539.x
Subject(s) - state (computer science) , politics , executive power , power (physics) , political science , executive director , library science , media studies , law , sociology , management , computer science , physics , quantum mechanics , economics , algorithm
Assertions of the need for secrecy, long associated with the activ ities of the executive branch, have proliferated under the administration of George W. Bush to the point where criticisms are being voiced by Republicans as well as Democrats and by members of the federal judiciary. Since the admin istration of Jimmy Carter, there has been a sharp increase in secrecy claims by executive branch officials, especially in the context of litigation. However, the Bush administration is extending this penchant with even greater intensity, and has been quick to raise secrecy-based objections in response to requests for in formation that has historically been publicly available. Secrecy claims are raised so routinely and broadly that in some cases, the administration officials in volved do not even know what the allegedly secret documents contain.2 Taken together, administration officials' statements interpreting law and their blanket