The security outcome of the conflict between tradition and modernism in Afghanistan

Extended Abstract

Introduction: In a macro perspective, the state-nation building process in Afghanistan, as a historical challenge, has gone through a tense period of civil wars and foreign interventions due to its wide ethnic and religious diversity. These structural problems have prevented the provision of sustainable security in the country. On the other hand, Afghan society experiences many complexities in various aspects, including social, economic and political, as well as beliefs, values and mental attitudes. These complexities have increased in Afghan society due to cultural, ethnic and religious diversity. The introduction of manifestations of modernity, such as new technologies, new ideologies and modern social structures, has led to the emergence of problems in the coordination of these developments with the traditional values and norms of society. In general, these developments have intensified the waves of conflict between traditionalists and modernists among different groups and strata of Afghan society and have made its management more complex. This article analyzes Afghan security from an intellectual and social perspective. Accordingly, the present article seeks to answer the question of what consequences the conflict between tradition and modernity has had in Afghan society in recent centuries and how it has affected Afghan security? In response, the hypothesis is put forward that with the arrival of manifestations of modern civilization in Afghanistan, especially since the era of Amanullah Khan, this society has gradually suffered an ideological split and has become fattened by fundamentalism as a result of the destructive conflict between modernist and traditionalist forces.

Methods: This research is developmental in terms of its purpose and the research method is qualitative and of the type of document analysis and the tool for collecting information is whistleblowing.

Results and Discussion: The data indicate that ideological conflicts between conservative and reformist forces in Afghanistan since the early 20th century have, while creating transformative waves, consistently had negative effects on the country's development and social stability process. This theoretical and practical conflict between the two streams of thought has weakened the state-nation building process, which aimed to create a unified national identity, and as a result, Afghanistan has become an environment full of internal tensions and security threats. On the one hand, traditional forces are trying to preserve and strengthen their ethnic and religious identities, and on the other hand, modernist forces are seeking to implement new global values in the country's social and political structures. This identity dialectic has exacerbated social crises and increased tensions, and by reducing the effectiveness of the state, it deepens existing gaps. Ultimately, this situation has had major impacts on Afghanistan’s national security, and its results are clearly visible at various geographical and political levels of the country, especially in the strengthening of radical and fundamentalist groups.

Conclusion: The conflicting waves of tradition and modernism will continue in the future. This conflict could exacerbate further social and political instability in the future, as different groups with different values and beliefs will not be able to agree on a common national identity. These gaps could provide a suitable space for radical and fundamentalist groups to exploit these turmoil and expand their influence. Also, the strong resistance of traditional groups to modern changes could slow or halt reform processes and social and economic development, which would ultimately negatively affect the country’s security. As a result, this conflict could expose Afghanistan to further security threats in the future, including the intensification of terrorist group activities and increased internal instability.



Keywords: Security, Afghan society, ideological divide, tradition, modernism.