1st Edition
Transition in Afghanistan Hope, Despair and the Limits of Statebuilding
This book, by one of the most experienced authorities on the subject, presents a deep analysis of the very difficult current situation in Afghanistan. Covering a wide range of important subjects including state-building, democracy, war, the rule of law, and international relations, the book draws out two overarching key factors: the way in which the prevailing neopatrimonial political order has become entrenched, making it very difficult for any other political order to take root; and the hostile region in which Afghanistan is located, especially the way in which an ongoing ‘creeping invasion’ from Pakistani territory has compromised the aspirations of both the Afghan government and its international backers to move the country to a more stable position.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Map
1. Introduction
2. The unravelling of Afghanistan
Statebuilding and reconstruction
3. Statebuilding: challenges and pathologies
4. Political development: mass, elite and institutional dimensions
5. Reconstruction: a critical assessment
Democracy and elections
6. Democracy and legitimation: challenges in the reconstitution of political processes
7. Afghan elections: from the sublime to the ridiculous?
Law and Human Rights
8. The rule of law and the weight of politics: challenges and trajectories
9. Human rights in Afghanistan
War
10. Surviving in a war zone: the problem of civilian casualties
11. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations
12. US-Afghanistan relations
13. Talking to the Taliban
Conclusion
14. Alternative futures for Afghanistan
Index
Biography
William Maley is Professor of Diplomacy, Asia-Pacific College of Diplomacy, The Australian National University
