Building democracy in Afghanistan, 2001- 2005

Abstract

This study examines the establishment and development of democratic institutions and the process of institutionalization of democracy in th light of the provisions of the Bonn Agreement. The Bonn Agreement provided the framework of this study, which followed a "top down" approach to democratization and institution-building in Afghanistan. This study is document based, but is supplemented by interviews and personal observations. Surveys conducted by the Asia Foundation in 2004, 2006 and 2007, were used to analyze public perceptions of democracy building in Afghanistan. The study found that Afghanistan has balanced its customs and international norms and has enacted a Constitution that has placed Islam at the centre of all socio-politifcal and institutional developments. Social justice and republicanism has been confirmed as the bases of the political system and the issue of women's active role in political decision making has been taken seriously. Political pluralism and the enactment of the Political Parties' Law have led to the emergence of over 80 political parties. Despite their non-active role, the Parliamentary election indicated that the parties with links to the war of resistance to the Soviet invasion of 1978, are still influential and they dominate the post-Bonn Parliament. Some 78 percent of the public participated in an elected a President. Survey results show the public's positive attitude towards the created institutions and democracy. Yet, the government under President Karzai has suffered credibility because of worsening security and economic conditions in the country. Afghanistan needs to overcome a series of challenges that are tyhpical of new democracies, including access to information through free media, limiting the power of the executive and developing a vibrant civil society.