In a more instinctive manner, it is imperative to note that despite measures employed by the global community to redefine Afghanistan’s security and economy, the outcomes remain largely ineffectual (Manley 6). Evidence has revealed that the current state of Afghanistan is characterized by an increased rate of poverty, tension, and insecurity (Kinsman 58). Therefore, it is apparent that Afghanistan has lost its ability to pursue its self-interest in the international realm. Evidence derived from a comprehensive analysis indicates that numerous efforts have been made by the international community in order to eradicate issues that threaten security, economy, and human rights in Afghanistan (Downes-Martin 103). It is against this backdrop that this part of the paper analysis aims at examining whether the current state in Afghanistan represents failure or success in the quest for global governance, especially by the international community.
From a keen perspective, research has shown that there have been issues of insecurity, economic decline, and violation of human rights in Afghanistan for a considerably long period of time now (Manley 7). The aforementioned factors have made the country unable to control its internal affairs without external influences. Needless to say, Afghanistan has for decades, been known as a breeding pool for terror groups. Consequently, the country has been perceived as a threat to international peace and security (Manley 9).
Since 2009, the US government, through its army, has devised strategies to restore security and reform the economy in Afghanistan (Downes-Martin 105). Besides, other International Organizations such as NATO and the UN have worked in line with the US to eradicate terror remnants in the country. Additionally, the international communities have made relentless efforts to establish a transitional government and consultative forums that would ensure that the situation in Afghanistan does not deteriorate further (Kinsman 59). In line with this, quite a number of other strategies, such as imposing sanctions and military tools to wipe out insurgent terror groups, have been employed. Nonetheless, some of these peace restoration methods have not delivered the desired results as the country still wallows in a lack of stability.
Research evidences have shown that Afghanistan’s government is prone to numerous constraints in terms of resources, historical needs, and poor political institutions (Radek 34). Nevertheless, the efforts put in forging adequate international relations has made a tremendous mark in equipping the country with resources, a factor that has helped it in combating its nagging challenges. For instance, the US government has donated resources in line with other unilateral actions to reform the fragile state (Kinsman 60). At this juncture, one can argue that, to some extent, global governance has not succeeded in its response to the situation in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, scholars argue that for any country to thrive well amid impending challenges, comprehensive strategies must be used in order to achieve positive results (Kinsman 61). Probably, this could be the reason why international relations have not been able to make predominant changes in the current state in Afghanistan. Therefore, it is arguable that there exists a critical demand to establish a viable economy and a suitable political wing in order to restore order in Afghanistan.
There is prevailing controversy on the approach used by the international community to restore order in Afghanistan. According to liberalist theorists, Afghanistan should take a legitimate position regardless of external influences. Nevertheless, international relations use extreme force to maintain order and security (Radek 35)). Therefore, this has been perceived as a form of imperialism since such military force deprives fragile states of their self-interests. Moreover, efforts used by the US to respond to the current situation in Afghanistan are against the recommendations formulated by international relations. According to Radek (34), the legitimacy of a state is important since a state is capable of handling indigenous problems effectively than external actors. Therefore, it is arguable that global governance has failed to give Afghanistan its ultimate responsibilities to respond to the impending challenges (Downes-Martin 103).
Nevertheless, though liberal theorists criticize strategies used by global governance in response to the situation in Afghanistan, the course of action was inevitable. This is due to the fact that the situation in Afghanistan had reached a point of economic injury. In this case, its status had become a threat to international security, especially on matters related to terrorism (Radek 34). Moreover, this called for the use of extreme military force in order to curb terror groups in the country. Moreover, Afghanistan has survived with fragile political institutions that could not manage to restore order. This was the major reason that called for external actors to intervene in order to secure it from the current challenges. That notwithstanding, the country lacked ample resources to fund the operation, and this called for the international community to respond to the situation to salvage its status (Downes-Martin 105). Needless to say, global governance opted to apply combined approaches in order to establish demilitarization programs and reintegrate political institutions in Afghanistan.
To recap the above discussion, it is evident that the current state in Afghanistan is prone to insecurity, poverty, economic decline, and violation of human rights. Nevertheless, numerous efforts have been employed by the international community in order to salvage the state from impending challenges. To some extent, global governance has made a tremendous mark in restoring fragile political institutions and the economy of Afghanistan. This has been achieved through the use of military force to curb terrorism and donations to reform the economy. Nevertheless, efforts made have not been wholly effectual, and hence there is still a long way to go in realizing positive results. Therefore, we may not fully deny the fact that global governance has succeeded in responding to the current state in Afghanistan though there are traits of failure in numerous fields.
Works Cited
Downes-Martin, Stephen. “Operations assessment in Afghanistan is broken: What Is to Be Done?” Naval War College Review, 64.4 (2011): 103-125. Print.
Kinsman, Jeremy. “Afghanistan comes home.” Policy Options, 28.1(2006): 58-61. Print.
Manley, John. “Afghanistan: meeting the development challenge.” Policy Options, 28.9(2007): 6-12. Print.