The Challenges to Nation-Building

in Afghanistan continues....

The emphasis on the geo-strategic and sociological factors are profound in these works than on what may be viewed as a mixture of interactive relationships between elite behaviour and outside power rivalry, and the role of these in giving rise to ideological extremism in shaping today’s Afghanistan. Amin Saikal, as an “insider,” points out three interrelated variables in understanding the social and political complexities of Afghanistan. They are, viz. royal polygamy, foreign interference and ideological extremism. He regards these factors as crucial, along with other factors like social division, cultural mores and geographical location in determining the course of turbulent Afghan political history.

Apart from these three, other factors that really shaped Afghan politics are the heterogeneity of its population, the ‘tribal’ problem, and the failure to establish a centralized polity. Situated at the cross roads of four ecological and cultural zones, Afghanistan is the melting pot of Persian, Central Asian, Mongol, Arab, Indian and Turkish influences.

Afghanistan has often been described as a tribal confederation, comprising of multi-racial groups and nationalities. It is very essential to understand the tribal, sub-tribal, ethnic, nationalistic and regional differences characterizing the Afghan society. Infact a lot of bitter struggles and enmities can be explained in this light of heterogeneity.

To be continued....