C/P/69. 'Both the Special Branch and the Security Services have, throughout their history, always found convenient threats to the State'. Discuss

This work analyses how far the perceived threats by Special Branch/ the security services are fictitious. First the response to the Troubles in Northern Ireland is examined, second the Cold War, third the post - Cold War situation and, fourth, the modern threat of terrorism. The relation between democratic government, the security services and the electorate is also discussed.