Homeland Defense and Democratic Liberties:
An American Balance in Danger?

Since its founding in 1911, Carnegie Corporation of New York has had a tradition of supporting research and scholarship that is central to its mission of promoting �the advancement and diffusion of knowledge and understanding.” That tradition carries through to the present day because, in this new century, our work continues to affirm our belief that scholarship is an important asset in our democratic process where new policy solutions must be supported by credible research and analysis.

In keeping with our goal of exploring issues and ideas, the Corporation recently sponsored a forum on homeland security that brought together a number of policymakers, legislators, educators and others to discuss a concern that has come to national attention in the wake of September 11th: the tension between national security and civil liberties. Every day, it seems, the headlines bring us more developments in the war on terrorism and more proposals for keeping the nation secure: increased powers for the FBI; new federal security screeners at airports; and a proposed new Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security, among others, all of which have implications for the personal freedoms and civil rights to which Americans have become accustomed.

This Carnegie Challenge paper, Homeland Defense and Democratic Liberties: An American Balance in Danger? expands on the discussions at the Carnegie Corporation forum, delving into issues as wide-ranging as surveillance (of both people and the means they can use to create havoc); potential infringements on privacy; and democracies’ responses to terrorism. The Corporation’s intent is to raise questions relevant to these concerns, knowing full well that the answers are certainly not easy and, at the moment, perhaps still in the earliest stages of being formed. It is our hope, though, that this paper will contribute to the ongoing national dialogue about the future of our nation as it seeks to combat terrorists without diminishing the liberties we are fighting to preserve.

Click here to read Homeland Defense and Democratic Liberties: An American Balance in Danger?

Click here to read more about the Carnegie Forum on Homeland Security

Click here to read a transcript of the July 2, 2002 press conference on Homeland Defense and Democratic Liberties: An American Balance in Danger?

Click here to hear an audio file of the July 2, 2002 press conference on Homeland Defense and Democratic Liberties: An American Balance in Danger?