The Political Spectrum Of Afghanistan: Limited Or Unlimited Government?

Afghanistan's government is a totalitarian emirate within an Islamic theocracy, with the Taliban Movement holding a monopoly on power. The government is provisional, with no constitution or basis for the rule of law. The country's politics are based on power struggles, coups, and unstable transfers of power. Afghanistan has been governed by various systems, including a monarchy, republic, theocracy, dictatorship, and a pro-communist state. The current government, led by the Taliban, is internationally unrecognized and criticized for human rights violations, totalitarianism, and lack of accountability. It enforces Sharia law strictly through extensive social and cultural policies.

Afghanistan's government is a totalitarian emirate within an Islamic theocracy

The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law is strict and is enforced through extensive social and cultural policy. The Taliban's views are more popular in conservative, rural areas of Afghanistan, particularly among the Pashtun community. The Taliban's ideology is deeply rooted in the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence.

The Taliban's ideology is not shared by many Afghans, and they have been criticised by international observers for totalitarianism, systemic human rights violations, and being unaccountable and opaque. The Taliban's worldview would make it a huge challenge for them to adjust their ideology to the imperatives of inclusivity.

The Taliban's leadership council, the Rahbari Shura, is primarily composed of Pashtuns from eastern and southern Afghanistan, though it does have some non-Pashtun figures. The Taliban's organisational structure is relatively centralised, which is more effective in dealing with 'principal-agent' problems.

The Taliban's relationship with non-state actors, such as al-Qa'ida, is a concern for the international community. The Taliban have a history of coordinating with other international and regional militant groups, and it is conceivable that Afghanistan could once again become a sanctuary for international terrorist groups.

The Taliban holds a monopoly on power, with all authority vested in the Leadership

Afghanistan is currently ruled by the Taliban, who refer to their government as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The Taliban's government is a totalitarian emirate within an Islamic theocracy, with all authority vested in the Leadership, which is collectively made up of the supreme leader and his clerical advisors. The supreme leader of Afghanistan, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has authority over all political, military, and religious decisions and government appointments.

The Taliban's political system has been described as "highly underspecified and undertheorized", with the group rarely spelling out the legal or political principles that guide their rules and behaviours. They have only offered vague statements that they will rule in accordance with "Islamic law and Afghan values".

The supreme leader makes all major policy decisions, which are then implemented by the country's civil service and judiciary. The Leadership Council, or Rahbari Shura, is a 26-member council that assists the supreme leader with the governance of Afghanistan and has oversight over the Cabinet and Prime Minister. The council is also responsible for appointing a new supreme leader, although it is not yet known if they will exercise this power following the Fall of Kabul in 2021.

The Taliban's government is criticised by international observers for totalitarianism, systemic human rights violations, a lack of accountability and transparency, and the exclusion of women, religious and ethnic minorities, and those with dissenting views. The Taliban have suppressed free speech and organised political activity, with those expressing views critical of the Taliban facing enforced disappearance, unlawful detention, arbitrary arrest, torture, and other ill-treatment.

The Taliban's rule has been marked by a slew of bans on Afghan girls and women, barring them from virtually every aspect of public life. These include bans on attending school beyond the sixth grade, working outside the home (including for the UN), appearing in public alone, travelling without a male chaperone, and participating in sports. The Taliban claim that these restrictions are in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, and that life has improved for Afghan women as a result. However, these bans have been widely condemned by foreign governments, rights groups, and global bodies, and have contributed to the Taliban's lack of international recognition as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

The government is criticised for human rights violations, totalitarianism, and lack of accountability

The government of Afghanistan, officially called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a totalitarian emirate within an Islamic theocracy. The Taliban Movement holds a monopoly on power, and dissent is not permitted. The government is led by a supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has authority over all political, military, and religious decisions.

The government has been criticised for human rights violations, totalitarianism, and lack of accountability. Since the Taliban seized power in 2021, they have imposed increasingly repressive policies, particularly against women, girls, and ethnic and religious minorities. The Taliban have severely restricted women's and girls' access to education, employment, and freedom of movement, and have banned them from participating in sports and appearing in public without a male chaperone. These restrictions have effectively confined women and girls to their homes and have been widely condemned by the international community as amounting to gender persecution and gender apartheid.

The Taliban have also targeted ethnic and religious minorities for persecution, including the Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, Tajik, Shia, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and Ahmadiyya communities. There have been reports of forced evictions, arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings targeting these groups. The Taliban have also restricted freedom of expression and assembly, with journalists and protesters facing harassment, violence, and detention.

The Taliban's policies have led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with two-thirds of the population in need of assistance and millions facing food insecurity. The healthcare system is fragile and dependent on international aid, and the economic crisis has been exacerbated by the Taliban's policies.

The Taliban's actions have been characterised as a systematic assault on the rights and freedoms of the population, particularly women and girls, and there is a lack of accountability for human rights violations. The international community has been urged to take a more consistent and effective response to the Taliban's violations and to push for an end to violent reprisals and the release of those arbitrarily detained.

The country has been governed by various systems, including a monarchy, republic, theocracy, dictatorship, and pro-communist state

Afghanistan has been governed by a multitude of political systems, including a monarchy, a republic, a theocracy, a dictatorship, and a pro-communist state.

Monarchy

The Kingdom of Afghanistan was established in 1926 as a monarchy in Central Asia, with Amanullah Khan as its first king. This monarchy lasted until 1973 when it was overthrown by the cousin of the then-king, Mohammad Daoud Khan, who established a republic. The monarchy was marked by modernisation attempts and socioeconomic reforms, which led to several uprisings by conservative opponents.

Republic

The Republic of Afghanistan was established in 1973 by Mohammad Daoud Khan, who abolished the monarchy. This republic lasted until the PDPA-led Saur Revolution in 1978, which established a socialist state. During this time, Afghanistan enjoyed cordial relations with NATO and allied nations, particularly the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Theocracy

Afghanistan has been governed by a theocracy under the Taliban, most recently since 2021. The Taliban seized power from the Western-backed Islamic Republic and imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The current government is internationally unrecognized, with no clear constitutional basis. It is criticized for totalitarianism, human rights violations, and the exclusion of women and minorities.

Dictatorship

The PDPA-led government, which came to power in 1978, has been described as a dictatorship. It initiated controversial reforms, brutally oppressed political dissidents, and relied heavily on the Soviet Union. This period was marked by civil war and instability, with various factions competing for power.

Pro-Communist State

Afghanistan experienced a pro-communist state during the rule of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), which was officially founded in 1965. The PDPA implemented Marxist-Leninist policies and social reforms, provoking strong opposition and eventually leading to civil war. Moscow intervened in Afghanistan to support the collapsing PDPA government, and the Soviet Union invaded in 1979.

The government is self-described as interim and functions without a clear constitution

Afghanistan's government is currently led by the Taliban and is officially called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. It is a totalitarian emirate within an Islamic theocracy, with political power concentrated in the hands of the supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, and his clerical advisors. The Taliban Movement holds a monopoly on power, and dissent is not permitted. The government is self-described as interim and functions without a clear constitution or any basis for the rule of law.

The current Taliban leadership rules by decree, and the country's laws are based on the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia. While the Taliban has historically viewed the Quran as its constitution, it has also recognised the need for a formal constitution and announced plans to form a constitutional commission in January 2022.

In the absence of a clear constitution, the Taliban has relied on a basic law called the dastur, which was drafted by an ulema (scholars) council and approved by the Supreme Court in 1998. The dastur establishes the position of the supreme leader and a unicameral shura council as the highest legislative body, with all members appointed by the supreme leader. However, it does not outline a selection process or constraints on the powers of the supreme leader.

The current setup of the Taliban government is reminiscent of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan that existed from 1996 to 2001, with a supreme council headed by Mohammad Omar. The system has also been compared to the Supreme Leader of Iran and its clerical rule.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has raised concerns among international observers, who have criticised the government for totalitarianism, systemic human rights violations, a lack of accountability and transparency, and the exclusion of women, religious and ethnic minorities, and dissenting voices.

Despite these criticisms and the lack of a clear constitution, the Taliban continues to exert control over the country, with the supreme leader making all major policy decisions that are then implemented by the civil service and judiciary. The government's structure and functioning highlight the challenges faced by Afghanistan in establishing a stable and inclusive government that can address the needs and protect the rights of its diverse population.

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