National Security and Democracy in the United States

Abstract

The values of national security and democracy are sometimes necessarily in conflict, and one may be compromised in defense of the other. The history of national security concerns in the United States of America can be seen as a continuing pragmatic attempt to balance fundamental democratic values and ideals against elements of their defense that have at times intruded upon the rule of law, individual freedoms, and popular participation in policy debate and decision making by an informed citizenry. The balancing of national security and democracy is an ongoing process, but the long-term trend in the United States seems to be toward an increasing emphasis on democratic process.