Incentives to Protect Whistleblowers Flashcards
What is a whistleblower
A person who exposes wrongdoing, corruption, abuse of power, or illegal activity within a government, corporation, or institution—often at personal risk.
Why is whistleblower protection important in IR?
enhances transparency, accountability, and reinforces democratic governance—central to international norms and human rights.
What international body promotes whistleblower rights?
UNCAC (UN Convention Against Corruption) 2003
What does the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive do?
mandates legal safeguards for whistleblowers across all EU member states, covering public and private sectors.
When was the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive introduced?
2019
What is the US national law for whistleblowers?
Whistleblower Protection Act (1989), Dodd-Frank Act (2010)
What section of the Dodd-Frank Act 2010 outlines protections for Whistleblowers?
Section 23
What protections does the Dodd-Frank Act grant?
Protection from discharge,
demote, suspend, threaten, harass
How many countries have whistleblower laws?
62
What are common risks faced by whistleblowers?
Job loss
Harassment or violence
Criminal prosecution (especially under national security laws)
Exile or forced migration
Realism
prioritize security and secrecy over individual protections—viewing whistleblowers as threats to national interest or sovereignty.
Liberalism
institutional protections, legal frameworks, and transparency norms—whistleblowers are vital to democratic accountability and rule of law.
Constructivism
Emphasizes how norms and ideas of transparency, heroism, and dissent shape whether whistleblowers are celebrated or criminalised.
Feminist IR
gendered power dynamics affect whistleblowers—women face unique risks such as sexual harassment and character attacks.
What did Edward Snowden do in 2013?
leaked classified information on U.S. global surveillance programs including the PRISM program collecting data from companies like Google, Facebook, and Apple.
How many documents did he leak?
1.7 million classified files
Where is Snowden now?
Exiled in Russia
What percentage of global internet traffic did the NSA reportedly monitor?
75% of U.S. internet traffic and global communications metadata
How many countries were affected?
over 35 world leaders and dozens of allied countries
What was the public reaction?
Polls in Germany & Brazil showed over 70% disapproval of U.S. surveillance.
