The whole things changed for Afghans as soon as Taliban left the capital; however, they remained in hibernation for a little while. Democratic changes opened the ray of hope for Afghans to kickstart a new beginning. To rebuild the country and help grow a developed and democratic Afghanistan, the world countries involved here have made huge efforts to promote democracy and institutionalize democratic principles.
A decade later, however, it seems too far from reach. The violence-plagued Afghanistan has to take more determined and decisive steps to meet the objective. The question remains that how the international supports can ensure sustainability of the nascent democracy in Afghanistan.
Like any other socio-political phenomenon, democracy is constituted of certain soft and hard components that call for some inner and outer requirements. To help it grow further, both factors need to be accomplished.
Fulfilling external requirements will not work for the internal needs. The soft side of the issue, here, refers to how Afghan decision makers and the people treat democracy. Looking at the annals, one may currently get frustrated of the feeble and flimsy process. No need to say, huge amounts of money is spent on setting up democratic mechanisms and establishing units to run the process.
But this is not all. The social incubator to protect and nurture democracy is lacking. From the top state decision makers to a normal Afghan citizen, everyone is putting emphasis on restoring the old-fashioned means to reach an end.
The attempt to launch the traditional Loya Jirga is a true indication for that. Continued violation of democratic principles and rules by state officials and the public negligence of modern values and democracy suggest the murky view of democratization process in Afghanistan. Rule of law, human rights, fair competitive elections, and public participation, etc. are the major components of a democratic system, none of which seems to have appeared true here.
A regular practice of democracy will help it flourish further. Continued international support for the feeble democracy here will prove productive. However, feeding the social milieu remains in priority. International supports function like the hard factor for democracy that can only help soft elements work out.
A domestically and internationally politicized democratization has caused failure of the process. For the process to change, the stakeholders should review their view of the mission and get enough determined to push forward the genuinely democratic games.
In the course of Afghan recent history, democracy has encountered repeated failures but it has never been impossible. Finally, it will be the people who can change the destiny of this long ineffective journey and let our dreams come true.