Much of the reaction to the November 2010 release of secret U.S. diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks has focused on the contents of the cables themselves, the potential consequences for U.S. foreign policy and the legality or propriety of the actions taken by Julian Assange. However, the episode also brought into focus serious questions for democratic thought. How are contemporary states to balance the openness that democracy demands with the demands for secrecy posed by legitimate security and diplomatic concerns? What secrets should a democratic state attempt to keep? What measures may a democratic state legitimately take in order to protect its secrets? This paper will examine the WikiLeaks episode in light of these questions.
