Mobilizing Traditional Afghan Skills and Perceptions to Increase Rural Development and Security, Summer 2009

Afghanistan’s political methods and skills are born out of a perception that almost everyone possesses very limited opportunities and resources, and that perception produces a political culture that one must do whatever it takes to survive. That culture of “amoral familism” ironically offers almost unlimited opportunities for individuals to make a deal about almost anything. So, the question remains: Will the Afghan leaders be able to use their traditional skills to manage the culture of unrestrained deal-making? Can they can piece together one factional linkage after another, and create an ever growing political stability and economic growth?