Final Version Political Culture and Intelligence Culture (original) (raw)

This paper explores the relationship between French political culture under the Third Republic and the evolution of intelligence as a tool of state power. It argues that a cultural predisposition toward inter-ministerial rivalry were fundamental in shaping the character of French intelligence and all but precluded the emergence of an inter-departmental intelligence community in France during this period. Foreign intelligence activities remained concentrated in the general staff of the French army. This dynamic is contrasted with the situation in Great Britain, where foreign intelligence institutions were later in developing but evolved within the committee culture and inter-departmental dynamics that were characteristic of a more collegial British political and administrative culture.