Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy by Josef Steiff

Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy by Josef Steiff

Author:Josef Steiff
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Court
Published: 2010-06-15T00:00:00+00:00


19

Secrets and Lies: Balancing Security and Democracy in the Colonial Fleet

LOUIS MELANÇON

A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy; or, perhaps both.

—James Madison

Shortly after the initial Cylon attack, the Fleet leadership learns that certain Cylon models look like humans. Five words are uttered in horror: “They look like us now.” Immediately, the leadership of the Fleet decides that this must be kept secret. Secrets are powerful things, especially when they are labeled “matters of national security.” But to what extent should secrets and lies exist between the government and the governed in a democratic system?

Before the horror of the surprise Cylon attack, the Colonies lived under a liberal democracy, chartered to protect specific rights and liberties, under the Articles of Colonization. Even following the attack, the Articles determined the presidential successor, when a new Quorum of Twelve would be seated, when new presidential elections would be held, and re-established the government of the Second Exodus. All of these actions were taken while confronting legions of hostile Cylons—and the government used a variety of tools, including secrets and lies, to fight this threat. But they have also kept secrets from, and lied to, the remainder of the Fleet. Just because the Colonies are in a state of war with the Cylons, can the Fleet leadership be justified in these actions, or have they damaged the values on which their society was based?



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