Every year 15 September is observed as “International Day of Democracy” per resolution of UN General Assembly. This day was first celebrated in 2008. The theme of the ongoing year was “Space for Civil Society”. The incumbent secretary general of US Ban-Ki-Mon terms is oxygen of democracy and catalyst for social progress and economic growth. Whatever the title selected for democracy –Afghan society has yet to strive for an all-encompassing democracy.
Throughout history, democracies have flourished, been threatened or replaced by authoritarian rule only to re-emerge in societies all over the world. The involvement of the people in the public affairs of their countries is more likely than any other form of government to ensure basic freedoms and equality, meet the needs of everyone and preserve or restore peace.
Democracy is a form of government in which all eligible citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy allows eligible citizens to participate equally, either directly or through elected representatives in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. It encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination. There is a negligible quantity of such practices traced.
The ultimate goal of democracy is to preserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of the individual, to achieve social justice, foster the economic and social development of the community, strengthen the cohesion of society and build a favorable environment for international peace. Democracy, development and human rights are therefore interdependent.
In a democracy, human rights are promoted and protected so that we all, no matter our race, gender, personal belief or style of life, can participate in formulating the laws and policies to which we are subject. These human rights include the right to express ourselves freely, to associate freely with others, and to choose our representatives in free and fair elections.
This system of governance ensures the respect of all citizens –women have important role to play as men. While women make up just over half of the world’s population, fewer than one in five members of parliament around the world are women. Societies are more equitable and democracy is stronger when women participate in all aspects of political life.
After Taliban’s regime toppled, Afghanistan was put on the way to democracy, the established and wide practiced system of government. The underlined fault remains with delayed understanding of preferential type be applied, having understood the elongated concerns and grievances of people in general and ruling elite in particular. The centralized government brought forth, is perceived as continuation of denied political participation by many stake holder.
The Afghan population currently has few means of expressing dissent regarding policies carried out by the international community and the central government, which operates on a highly centralized patronage model in which power and resources are channeled through personal and political allies. The system lacks the connection, rules, and checks and balances necessary to make leaders truly accountable to the population, which invites corruption, rent-seeking, and a hemorrhaging of domestic legitimacy. Local governmental bodies are the appropriate places for representing Afghans and responding to their needs, but these currently suffer from a lack of capacity, confusion over their roles and authorities, and little legitimacy.
For instance, equality among human beings and acquiring opportunities based on merit are democratic principles. People receive opportunities and gain advantages through their capability, talent and skills in a democratic society. But, all social and political opportunities in Afghanistan’s political systems are based on appointment. People have obtained social and political opportunities based on their tribe, ethnicity or other relations of or bribe. Communalism, regionalism, nepotism, favoritism and all such ill-practices are hostile to democracy leading to despondency.
Participatory democracy associate with good Governance program supports the establishment of a broadly accepted national government that promotes national unity and effectively serves the needs of the Afghan people. The international community must help developing the capacity of key institutions including the Independent Electoral Commission, the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, and target ministries and institutions of the executive branch such as the Independent Directorate for Local Governance, and the Civil Service Commission. They should also provide training to Afghan civil society organizations to advocate for society-led reforms.
In that pursuit a democratic institution must be built on structures and processes that are accountable, transparent, decentralized, and able to manage legitimate elections and the administration of justice, and operate under the oversight of the parliament. Furthermore, it should combat exclusion, protect public goods, actively engage civil society and the private sector, promote participation, and strengthen partnerships among sectors, groups, and every levels of government. Revitalizing public administration for people-centered development would require reform efforts that incorporate these characteristics.
Every year we look back on yet another year of remarkable events in the story of democracy, a story that continues to be written by people who yearn for dignity and human rights, for an end to corruption, for glorious future, for jobs, justice and a fair share of political power and stability, the people of Afghanistan waiting for ages. Their story is just begun having comprehended that democracies are not born overnight, nor built in a year, or by holding one or two elections. They require sustained and thorough work.