Reform and Renewal
Edward Snowden’s leaks regarding the “215 Program” prompted an overdue and democracy-enhancing debate, as well as ensuing reforms, which together provide a useful case study in how debate, oversight, and transparency can enhance democratic decision-making about national security programs. Rather than wait for a leak to expose a controversial program and incur the potential damage to national security, thereby undermining public confidence in the government’s activities, a more effective and meaningful answer may come from trying carefully to maximize debate and transparency before, during, and after programs such as 215 are implemented. National security and civil liberties need not be in conflict; they are, rather, intertwined. Goals should be to increase government accountability to protect civil liberties and incentivize national security agencies to expend their resources wisely.