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 to be applied, having understood the lengthened concerns and grievances of people in general and ruling elite in particular. The centralized government brought forth is perceived as continuation of denied political rights.
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 domestic 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.
The September 11 tragic incidence turned a blessing in disguise for Afghanis that brought Taliban’s repressive and despotic rule to an end. Subsequently, the modes of government altered but not the fate of people. The installment of democracy devoid of its fundamental requisites left the people suffer at the hand of non-conforming elements, insurgents and terrorists who at present seems to have grown mightier than previous. The completion of two democratic terms and slight betterment in women rights and a small degree of freedom, of course, count the successes of the democratic government. The most crucial aspect that left undermined or ignored must be given prime importance in order to ensure vibrant democracy.
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.
It ascertains people’s active role in political and civic life. One expresses his will through regular free and fair elections. Voting in a democracy must be universal, equal and secret so that each of us can choose our representatives freely. Education and vibrant communications media are vital to be able to make an informed choice. But our role as active citizens does not end after we cast our ballots; we must be continually engaged in public affairs so that the government can be aware of and responds to our needs.
Incorporating the promotion of equality and dignity through the system of equal value for the vote of all individuals regardless of their sex, religion, language, economic or social status in democracy ensures political justice which is the foundation of social and economic justice, dignity of the individual and national cohesion.