Homeland Security: Balancing Security and Civil Liberties

This discussion post explores the intricate relationship between homeland security initiatives, civil rights, and the role of government agencies. The post analyzes the challenges of balancing security measures with the protection of civil liberties, particularly in the context of post 9/11 era. It examines the tension between government surveillance and citizen privacy, and the importance of collaborative efforts among different departments, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD). The discussion highlights the significance of organizational structures in promoting effective security measures while safeguarding the rights of citizens. The post references research on homeland security, civil liberties, and the role of the government in protecting its citizens.

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1DISCUSSION POST
Part 1
The different legal factors, legislative statutes, constitutional themes operates as a
framework for formulation and operationalization of the homeland security related initiatives. In
this connection, the post 9/11 era brought about significant changes in the security measures
while protecting the civil rights without compromising on the lethal factors leading to increased
criminal activities. The US government’s spying initiatives on the civilian might be taken as one
of the most important instance for identifying the tension between homeland security related
initiatives and civil liberty (Kfir, 2018). The government interagency players have taken the
initiative of coordinating with the different departments with the objective of improving the
collaborative approach.
However, it has also being noted that the spying activity by the US government while
spying on the civilians while violating the Citizens’ fundamental rights was challenged by the
Human Rights officials. The approach of the government was to reduce the threat of terrorist
activity at the cost of losing the privacy of the citizens which resulted to the challenge (McEntire,
2018). The national decision making is specifically based on the unity of effort and strategic
communications. Therefore, the government of a nation is required to consult with the different
agents and departments while imposing the homeland security related operations, for treating the
threat of terrorism without compromising on the civil right of the citizens.
Part 2
The organizational structure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the
Department of Defense (DOD) are specifically observed to be hierarchical where the government
takes the major initiative of preceding the activities while aligning with the priorities faced by

2DISCUSSION POST
the nation (Burke & McNeil, 2016). The hierarchical design of the organizations have helped
the same in integrating the operations as per the common priorities that are being faced by the
nation. The structure brings together the local, state, and regional efforts through uniform
communication and collaboration between the different departments. The operational factors of
the organizations are reliant on the collaborations which pacifies the effect of the tensions
between the homeland security related needs while avoiding violation of the civil rights of the
citizens in the nation. The organizational structures thereby supports in improving the
competence of homeland security, through threat minimization, while redeeming the rights of the
citizens and safety of the same (Christensen & Lodge, 2016). Therefore, the organization
structure plays a crucial role in maintaining the effectiveness of the homeland security related
concerns while adhering to the interests of the citizens.

3DISCUSSION POST
References
Burke, R., & McNeil, S. (2016). Investigating the Benefits and Drawbacks of Realigning the
National Guard Under the Department of Homeland Security. Army War College-
Strategic Studies Institute Carlisle United States.
Christensen, T., & Lodge, M. (2016). Accountability, transparency and societal security. In The
Routledge handbook to accountability and welfare state reforms in Europe (pp. 179-193).
Routledge.
Kfir, I. (2018). Primer on the US Department of Homeland Security. Available at SSRN
3244795.
McEntire, D. A. (2018). Introduction to Homeland Security: Understanding Terrorism
Prevention and Emergency Management. John Wiley & Sons.