Effective Governance in Afghanistan: The Taliban’s Novel Approaches to Navigating Subnational Geopolitical Obstacles

Abstract

Afghanistan, a nation characterized by perpetual political upheavals and dramatic shifts in governance, has consistently grappled with intricate geopolitical challenges at both subnational and supranational levels. This persistent struggle is largely attributable to its rugged geography and its ethnically and culturally diverse society. These challenges have so far hindered the emergence of an effective and legitimate government, highlighting the urgent need for a scholarly examination of the obstacles and potential solutions to state-building. This study primarily aims to identify and analyze the subnational geopolitical impediments to the Taliban’s efforts toward effective and inclusive state-building in Afghanistan, as well as to propose practical solutions for overcoming these challenges. This study employs Q Methodology to analyze the discourses and theoretical frameworks articulated by political elites, thereby identifying and exploring diverse perspectives on the challenges and possible solutions to state-building in Afghanistan. Drawing upon this methodological approach, this study offers novel insights into how deeply rooted local power structures and ethnic fault lines circumscribe the scope of central governance under the Taliban regime. The findings reveal that the persistence of traditional and informal educational and economic systems, widespread public distrust in the government, an identity crisis—where ethnic identity often overshadows national-civic identity—and deep-rooted biases (e.g. ethnic, religious, linguistic) are some of the most pressing challenges to state-building in Afghanistan. Consequently, building an inclusive and effective government requires fostering hope, earning the trust of the population and various social groups, harnessing the full range of ethnic, religious, gender, intellectual, and political resources, and alleviating social and economic deprivation through the institutionalization of educational and economic systems.