Francesco SIDOTI
Abstract. Intelligence is a typically Western word that refers to the specific history of Western rationalism. Intelligence structures inherit
this rationalism, which has been applied to every sector of life and nature. Along with various other factors, Western hegemony has been
the masterpiece of intelligence superiority. For centuries, Western intelligence was conducted in utmost secrecy, occupying only a tiny space in history, largely relegated to accounts of ruling classes and mysteries of the state. This began to shift in the 1960s, leading to a surge in research, though often flawed by a lack of theoretical foundation and insufficient awareness of methodological issues. Intelligence should not be confused with espionage; it must be rethought (including its past) in light of the new challenges humankind faces today.
Keywords: intelligence, historiography, Europe, England, United States