Date of Award
4-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Patrick Donnay
Abstract
When Edward Snowden released a massive trove of classified files from the National Security Agency, the world became aware of numerous global surveillance systems. As Snowden hoped, a global dialogue began concerning surveillance, privacy, and government transparency. While there was a lively discourse surrounding the leak and Snowden, another story was missed. Snowden was not an employee of the NSA; rather he was an employee of Booz Allen Hamilton, a private contractor maintaining computer systems for the NSA. The deeper story here is the emerging relationship between government agencies and technology companies. This paper discusses the theory of iron triangles and issue-networks, specifically the issue networks within the United States Intelligence community. The aim of an issue network is to shape policy outcomes; therefore, I will examine the connection between Congress, intelligence agencies, and the private companies involved in the cyber-industrial complex. I hypothesize that senators receiving campaign contributions from intelligence contractors are more likely to vote in favor of surveillance activities. I use campaign data from the Center for Responsive Politics from 2009-2014, and Senate votes during the 114th Congress. My findings show there is a complex relationship between lobbying, intelligence spending, and the voting behavior of the Senate.
Recommended Citation
O’Malley, Connor, "The Cyber-Industrial Complex" (2016). Political Science Theses and Capstones. 107.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/capstone-polisci/107
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