Probably the most interesting story in global politics now is the controversy surrounding wikileaks founder Julian Assange. I've read some convincing arguements that further than merely wanting increased transparency of national government, he is trying to bring about their collapse, instigating global anarchy. The argument is that it simply isn't possible for governments to exist if they can't send secret communications, in the same way that it isn't possible for someone to have a social life if the gossip they tell to one of their friends is always revealed to all their other friends. A government needs to be able to strategise without worrying how it will ruin diplomatic relations.
Personally, I think that while there is some truth to this, billions of dollars can be wasted and 1000s of lives can be lost due to poor decision making in government. If a leader knows that the opposition will hear what he has to say, he will be forced to at least consider the oppositions point of view. Of course, if state secrets are going to be revealed, they should be revealed for all countries involved in whatever the matter the secrets pertain to is. If one country is put at disadvantage, that could be just as damaging as poor leadership.
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