Scientific Articles
Do You Want to Know a Secret? Wikileaks. Freedom. Democracy
Author:
Léon Dijkman
Utrecht University, NL
About Léon
Léon Dijkman holds a LL.B (2010, Utrecht University, with honours) and a BA in Literature (2012, Utrecht University, cum laude) and is currently a master student of Legal Research LL.M. The author would like to express his utmost gratitude to Prof. Jeanne Gaakeer (Erasmus University Rotterdam), Dr. Bram Ieven (Utrecht University) and Prof. Ton Hol (Utrecht University) for their advice and support in writing this article.
Abstract
This article examines Wikileaks under reference to Habermasian democratic theory, using an analysis of Jonathan Franzen’s novel “Freedom” (2010) to support its argument. The author argues that Wikileaks is significant in two ways. Firstly, it may strengthen democracy as it attempts to facilitate a global public sphere that is transparent. Secondly, it addresses feelings of frustration that arise out of an inability to hold certain agents legally accountable for their policies and acts. The article concludes with observations on the legitimacy of Wikileaks itself as a ‘global watchdog.’
How to Cite:
Dijkman, L., 2012. Do You Want to Know a Secret? Wikileaks. Freedom. Democracy. Amsterdam Law Forum, 4(2), pp.49–64. DOI: http://doi.org/10.37974/ALF.220
Published on
01 Mar 2012.
Peer Reviewed
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