Social epistemology of security studies: intelligence knowledge regimes

The structure of knowledge production on national and international security, as a justified true belief in matters of existential importance for societies, states and the global political order, represents a legitimate subject of research based on a social epistemological and sociological approach. Starting from the sociological public policy thematization of knowledge regimes in political economy and economic policy, security knowledge regimes are theoretically outlined in this paper. Primarily in relation to the constellation of research organizations in this public policy area , the production of security knowledge is not characterized by the variable influence of academic, advocacy, party and state organizations, but dominantly by state, semi-state and above all state-related actors. Of the latter, the intelligence services stand out, given that the knowledge on the basis of which policymakers and decision-makers in security policy act is often hidden and inaccessible to the public, and is therefore not subject to democratic procedures and public opinion. Security knowledge regimes are understood as intelligence knowledge regimes due to the centrality of intelligence activities, knowledge and organizations in the field of security. In conclusion, the main findings of the paper are recapitulated and paths for future research into the security knowledge regime are suggested.