Progress and Pitfalls of “Peace-Building”

in Afghanistan continues....

Another interesting finding is the belief that democracy would benefit the individual has grown over time. In 2004, 37 percent did not cite any personal benefit from democracy. The statistic drops to only percent in 2006. It is interesting that most Afghans have started identifying political rights as personal benefit, especially freedom, rule of law and civil liberties. In addition, an increased percentage in 2006 cites peace, stability and prosperity as important benefits of democracy.

The understanding of democracy as political rights varies only modestly

within the population, and tends to be slightly higher among minority

groups.

For instance, 80 percent of Pashtuns (the majority) define democracy in terms of political rights, but 86 percent of the Tajiks and 91 percent of the Hazaras think of democracy in these terms. Similarly 83

percent of Sunnis define democracy in reference to political rights, but 90

percent of Shia’s share these opinions. The clearest example of this pattern

involves the rights of women.



This means, people can be ‘questionnaire friendly’ wherein the democratic reality can typically fall short of the democratic ideal.

Nevertheless a high degree of expressed support for equality and peaceful

opposition are positive features of contemporary Afghan political culture.

Experience and public education programmes are apparently improving

support for democracy in Afghanistan. The general uniformity of opinion

is again a positive indicator for further democratization.

One of the major questions for democratization in Afghanistan is whether norms of Islam and democracy can be reconciled, because belief in the political role of Islam erodes support for a democratic form of government. The benefits of democratic aspiration by the public will be limited in the absence of a

democratic context. Satisfaction with the democratic process is linked to

the economic performance of the system. However, economic reversals

can erode these sentiments. The public still looks to the government to

provide basic needs, and will be judged by its success.

To be continued....