Book
Spies, Culture, and Society
Constant Hijzen and Simon Willmetts have released Spies, Culture, and Society, a collection of essays, published by Georgetown University Press, exploring the relationship between intelligence agencies and the societies and cultures they inhabit.
- Author
- Simon Willmetts and Constant Hijzen
- Date
- 01 March 2026
- Links
- Read the full book here
The book offers an integrated understanding of intelligence and culture, covering topics from spy fiction and media influence to the historical roots of ‘deep state’ ideas. It explores how cultural representations such as spy fiction, film, and media shape public perceptions of intelligence, and how these perceptions in turn influence political debates and outcomes.
Several chapters focus on the interaction between intelligence services and other societal actors, including journalists, as well as the historical development of ideas such as the “deep state”. The volume also addresses broader themes such as the links between intelligence and imperialism, and the ways in which cultural and political contexts shape intelligence practices.