DP5186 Intelligence Failures: An Organizational Economics Perspective

Author(s):	Luis Garicano, Richard A. Posner
Publication Date:	August 2005
Keyword(s):	intelligence reform, organizational economics, war on terrorism
JEL(s):	D2, D8, H1, K0, L22, L32
Programme Areas:	Public Economics, Industrial Organization
Link to this Page:	cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=5186

Two recent failures of the United States intelligence system have led to the creation of high-level investigative commissions. The failure to prevent the terrorist attacks of 9/11 prompted the creation of the 9/11 Commission, and the mistaken belief that Saddam Hussein had retained weapons of mass destruction prompted the creation of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission. We use insights from organizational economics to analyse the principal organizational issues raised by these commissions.