http://www.demdigest.net/blog/regions/mena/abandon-irresistible-illusion-of-afghan-democracy.html Democracy Digest provides news, analysis and information on democracy promotion and related matters. The Digest is produced at the National Endowment for Democracy. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:22:23 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 http://www.demdigest.net/blog/regions/mena/abandon-irresistible-illusion-of-afghan-democracy.html/comment-page-1#comment-4641 Richard Kraemer Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:44:25 +0000 http://www.demdigest.net/blog/?p=3084#comment-4641 Mr. Stewart unfortunately shared the same pessimism in a Time magazine of last summer. While he may be consistent, it's not helpful. Afghans expect - if not demand - a legitimate government. That government must (1) control the use of force within their borders and (2) adopt and enforce laws perceived as just by the majority of the people. Provide these two - along with progressive economic development - and the Afghans will support their government and reject the Taliban, as the majority did once before and still does. Mr. Tellis has it right. Without representative, democratic decision-making and transfer of power processes, the second part of the legitimacy equation will be in perpetual jeopardy, so leaving Afghanistan equally unstable. The conclusion is that there's no other viable alternative, as difficult as it is going to be to achieve. Mr. Stewart unfortunately shared the same pessimism in a Time magazine of last summer. While he may be consistent, it’s not helpful. Afghans expect – if not demand – a legitimate government. That government must (1) control the use of force within their borders and (2) adopt and enforce laws perceived as just by the majority of the people. Provide these two – along with progressive economic development – and the Afghans will support their government and reject the Taliban, as the majority did once before and still does. Mr. Tellis has it right. Without representative, democratic decision-making and transfer of power processes, the second part of the legitimacy equation will be in perpetual jeopardy, so leaving Afghanistan equally unstable. The conclusion is that there’s no other viable alternative, as difficult as it is going to be to achieve.

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