A Conceptual Examination of Sociological Intelligence

Sociology is generally perceived as a discipline associated with the pursuit of peace and encompassing such goals as the elimination of social inequalities and the provision of well-being. But can sociology be used for ideological purposes and intelligence gathering? This article presents a study th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Uğur Berk Kalelioğlu
Format: Article
Language:deu
Published: Istanbul University Press 2023-12-01
Series:İstanbul Üniversitesi Sosyoloji Dergisi
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Online Access:https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/01B63EF4FF53407B9FAF12954B6560AE
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Summary:Sociology is generally perceived as a discipline associated with the pursuit of peace and encompassing such goals as the elimination of social inequalities and the provision of well-being. But can sociology be used for ideological purposes and intelligence gathering? This article presents a study that focuses on the militaristic exploration of sociology and the use of sociological data for intelligence purposes in line with ideological objectives. This study is an archival research based on primary sources that aims to identify the various definitions and contexts in which the concept of sociological intelligence has been articulated. As a result, this research has determined the term of sociological intelligence to have initially been coined in reference to an ethnographic study conducted in the Soviet Union. It was subsequently adopted by the US military and intelligence community. Its initial use considered the concept to be theoretically inadequate, but it gradually expanded over time with the support of various studies and became more comprehensive and detailed in military field manuals. In addition, this article introduces the US Army’s (1997) Strategic Intelligence booklet, which is considered the most comprehensive work in terms of defining, outlining the objectives, and explaining the components of sociological intelligence.
ISSN:2667-6931