A wicked leak of state secrets? Transparency, power and the diplomatic cables

What does the Wikileaks controversy reveal about the workings of power and how we view it today?

The Wikileaks revelations have not just been in the news for the past months, they have been the news. Since the latest dump of information from the US diplomatic cables to select media organisations, Julian Assange has been the subject of harassment from state officials as well as glorification from his supporters. The consequent trading of conspiracy theories from both sides has not been particularly edifying. But beyond the character of Assange and the Wikileaks organisation, what is the meaning of the Wikileaks phenomenon? What has been the impact of the revelations on international affairs – and are they ‘revelatory’ at all? What degree of privacy should states have in pursuing their interests? Few would argue that more information is a bad thing per se, but what do we make of the demand for transparency and the free flow of information in all institutional affairs? Ultimately, what does the Wikileaks controversy reveal about the workings of power and how we view it today?

Speakers:
Lee Jones, lecturer in international politics, Queen Mary, University of London
Angus Kennedy, head of external relations, Institute of Ideas
Alex Hochuli, PhD student, University of Kent; co-founder IoI Current Affairs Forum

Venue:

The Artillery Arms
102 Bunhill Row, Moorgate EC1Y 8ND
London, United Kingdom

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