In the past two decades, when Afghanistan was governed under the name of a republic, many people hoped that it would lay the foundation for democracy, equal participation, and the rule of law. However, over time, this hope turned into disappointment, as the republic became the monopoly of limited political and ethnic circles instead of a national system.
The leadership of the republican system, instead of distributing power, sought to establish a government from among their like-minded and close circles, from the presidency to the provinces, ministries, embassies, and other important institutions, all controlled by a specific circle. These circles not only isolated political opponents and never accepted them but also increased distrust among the majority of the people.
Although the republic outwardly proclaimed the slogans of law, elections, and civil liberties, in practice, this system had taken on the form of a party or group. Those who did not align with this collective mindset were considered obstacles and systematically removed from the political scene, which, instead of legitimacy, gave the republic an appearance of monopoly.
It was not only the monopoly that undermined the legitimacy of the republic, but also the failure to align with the people’s beliefs, religious values, and regional realities that were the causes of this group’s failure. Their strategy often relied solely on imported theories, which were always in conflict with the values of Afghan society.
All these factors indicate that the republic was not an open, inclusive, and civil system, but rather a political-ideological project of a group that sought to revolve power around itself, silencing any opposition or forcing them to leave the country, or labeling them as enemies and illegitimate.
The result of this mentality was that the republic did not take root among the people. When international support diminished and the confrontation of force emerged, this structure easily collapsed because it did not represent the entire nation, but rather the voice of a limited network and group.
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