Secrecy and the Continental Congress -- The coming of a new Constitution -- The federal Constitutional Convention -- The secrecy issue during the ratification conventions -- Congress opens up its doors -- Secrecy and the public record -- Black budgets and the people's money -- Executive secrecy and publicity -- Executive privilege : the president's power to withhold information -- Federal records and the people's right to know -- Security classification.
Summary:
"Secrecy has always played a role in American governance, from the First Continental Congress to the Manhattan Project to today's controversial procedures for protecting national security. The author examines the balance between the ideal of openness in government and the real world need for secrecy, and the political accommodations that have been made for each"--Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.