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.