Political Elites and the Reproduction of Contemporary Political Culture in Afghanistan

This research, grounded in Almond and Verba’s theory and the influence of political elites (both ethnic and religious), explores the development of modern political culture in Afghanistan. The results reveal that Afghanistan’s political culture is predominantly top-down, driven by elites, as civil institutions and the political-economic framework have fostered an environment where true popular engagement is not achieved. Following the Taliban’s fall in 2001, elites from Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, and Uzbek communities, utilizing ethnic-tribal structures and traditional networks, assumed a pivotal role in shaping policy and legitimizing political power. These elites pursued two primary approaches: firstly, political decisions often influenced by ethnic and economic interests, which exacerbated social divisions; secondly, the encouragement of identity-based and authoritarian behaviors, such as ethnic nationalism and religious influence in the public domain, which undermined rational and democratic participation patterns. A key highlight of this study is the underdeveloped political state, where political rationality—including tolerance, moderation, long-term planning, and proceduralism—has yet to become a fundamental value among elites and citizens. Characteristics like distrust, opportunism, and allegiance to individuals rather than the system have sustained an ineffective political culture instead of bolstering democratic institutions. Ultimately, this study underscores that reforming Afghanistan’s political culture is unattainable without altering the behaviors, attitudes, and values of the elites. A gradual shift from political immaturity to maturity—marked by tolerance, proceduralism, long-term planning, and the proactive role of elites—is crucial for achieving political progress and active citizen involvement.