TRIBAL TONGUES PHENOMENON — INTELLIGENCE AND POLICY RELATIONS

Abstract

The article discusses an important topic on the agenda of the intelligence studies, namely the consumer—producer relations as regards the intelligence cycle. Far from being an easy to grasp subject, the debate is significant at least for the persistent fears expressed by the public opinion about intelligence being politicized. We highlight the idea that by definition the intelligence activity may be considered politicized and the challenge would be to better clarify the term `politicized`. The tribal tongues phenomenon characterize the intelligence—policy relation as the two tribes have divergent perspectives and missions. While the intelligence is invested with attributes like objectivity and expertize, the policy realm speaks the language of subjectivity and preferences.  Therefore, understanding and discussing the consumer—producer relations (a syntagm used in intelligence studies) is of highest importance, given that intelligence can be after all easily politicized as long as it is defined as an adjunct to policy.