Anna Larson, 'Toward An Afghan Democracy?: Exploring Perceptions of
Democratisation in Afghanistan', Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), 17 September 2009
EXCERPT: "Process, Afghanistan (with the input of international donors) has embarked on the technical and political process of democratisation. This has involved the (re-)establishment of a presidential system of government, a bicameral parliament, provincial councils and an electoral cycle which has seen one round of elections completed and another begun. Much emphasis has been placed by the international community in particular on the initial set-up and existence of these democratic institutions, but the question remains (especially in the aftermath of 2009 elections): Above and beyond these efforts, what are Afghan perspectives on democracy? 'Democracy' in itself is a contentious term in Afghanistan, and has been for some time. Defined by many Afghans in the current context in terms of unlimited social freedom, due to associations of a democratic political system with Western, liberal values, it has taken on pejorative connotations that have been emphasised by the increasingly prevalent anti-Western discourse heard in the public sphere."
To continue reading the article, click here [pdf].
See also:
'Afghanistan poll monitors find one vote in four fraudulent', Brisbane Times, 18 September 2009
'Standoff over Karzai win threatens Afghan power vacuum', The Christian Science Monitor, 17 September 2009
'Afghans question what democracy has done for them', The Associated Press, 14 September 2009
'Unease grows over Afghan election', The Washington Post, 13 September 2009
Related posts:
'UNAMA split over how to deal with election fraud', 16 September 2009
'Partial recount ordered as tally gives Karzai 54%', 9 September 2009
'How to win an Afghan election', 12 August 2009
'Afghanistan election: Guns and money', 7 August 2009
