Like GalCiv1, why can we always see opponents ships in their orbits?

That was my only real gripe about GalCiv 1 and I see it is still here in GalCiv 2. Obviously this was done on purpose but I don't see why. Why would you want to completely ignore the fog of war and be able to see any and every ship in the orbits of opponents planets (and get total details of them as well)? If there is a good reason that I am not seeing, I am all ears (or eyes, whatever)