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Political Participation and Public Perceptions: Testing and Revisiting Afghanistan’s Social Contract After Taliban 2.0

Author

Listed:
  • Nassir Ul Haq Wani

    (Nassir Ul Haq Wani works as Dean and Professor of the Department of Research and Development at Kardan University (ACBSP and IACBE Accredited), Kabul, Afghanistan; Director of the Kashmir Research Information System (KRIS), J&K, India; and Professor of International Trade and Finance at SoCE, Presidency University, Bangalore, India. Wani is a distinguished author and has primarily written on Afghanistan, BRICS, SAARC, Central Asia and ASEAN.)

  • Lyla Latif

    (Lyla Latif is the Chief Executive of Lai’Latif & Co. Advocates and a faculty member at the University of Nairobi, where she co-founded the Committee of Fiscal Studies. She holds a PhD in Wealth Taxation from Cardiff University and serves on Kenya’s Task Force on Emerging Technologies and Data Governance. Her work spans international tax policy reform, with a particular focus on decolonial approaches to public finance and digital economy regulation in developing nations.)

  • Ahmad Shah Ramez

    (Ahmad Shah Ramez holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Kardan University, Kabul, Afghanistan. Currently stationed and working with UNAMA as a Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Central Regional Office, Kabul, Afghanistan.)

Abstract

This study applies the social contract theory to examine political participation in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. While recognising Afghanistan’s unique historical and cultural context, we argue that social contract theory provides a valuable framework for understanding governance dynamics in this complex setting. The study surveyed 400 respondents across six Afghan provinces, exploring public perceptions of governance, political engagement and democratic processes. Our findings reveal that despite Afghanistan’s distinct traditions, many citizens hold expectations of government that align with social contract principles. A majority (67.95%) believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, citing security, economic issues and restrictions on women’s rights as key concerns. Notably, 91.5% of respondents support elections as the means of selecting leadership, indicating a strong desire for democratic processes. The study also found widespread support (78.5%) for peace negotiations with opposition groups. These results demonstrate the relevance of social contract theory in understanding the evolving relationship between Afghan citizens and the Taliban government. By adapting this framework to incorporate local customs and Islamic governance principles, we gain insights into both the unique aspects of Afghanistan’s political landscape and the universal challenges of state-building in post-conflict societies. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of governance in non-Western contexts and offers valuable insights for policymakers and scholars working on state-building in complex cultural and political environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Nassir Ul Haq Wani & Lyla Latif & Ahmad Shah Ramez, 2025. "Political Participation and Public Perceptions: Testing and Revisiting Afghanistan’s Social Contract After Taliban 2.0," India Quarterly: A Journal of International Affairs, , vol. 81(1), pages 59-81, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:indqtr:v:81:y:2025:i:1:p:59-81
    DOI: 10.1177/09749284241308148
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Loewe, Markus & Zintl, Tina & Houdret, Annabelle, 2021. "The social contract as a tool of analysis: Introduction to the special issue on “Framing the evolution of new social contracts in Middle Eastern and North African countries”," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    2. Sam Hickey & Sophie King, 2016. "Understanding Social Accountability: Politics, Power and Building New Social Contracts," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(8), pages 1225-1240, August.
    3. Nassir Ul Haq Wani & Mohammad Mirwais Rasa, 2023. "Dynamics of Trade Specialization and Performance of SAFTA: A Case Study of Afghanistan," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 24(2), pages 153-179, September.
    4. Nassir Ul Haq Wani, 2019. "Nexus between Openness to Trade and Economic Growth: An Empirical Investigation of Afghanistan," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 20(2), pages 205-223, September.
    5. S. Yaqub Ibrahimi, 2019. "Afghanistan’s Political Development Dilemma: The Centralist State Versus a Centrifugal Society," Journal of South Asian Development, , vol. 14(1), pages 40-61, April.
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