The concept that within the formal, constitutional structure of a government, a parallel, unaccountable, and permanent apparatus exists—often rooted in intelligence, military, and police agencies—that operates autonomously to protect what it defines as "state security," regardless of the elected government's policies. It is the deep state not as a conspiracy of individuals, but as an institutional zombie with its own mind, budget, and goals.
Example: According to the Theory of the Secret State, when an elected leader tries to radically alter foreign policy or reduce intelligence budgets, they are quietly stymied by leaks to the press, bureaucratic inertia, and even manufactured crises by career officials in agencies like the CIA or MI6, who believe they are the true guardians of the nation, above transient politicians.
by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal February 4, 2026
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