Journal Article - International Security
Why U.S. Efforts to Promote the Rule of Law in Afghanistan Failed
Summary
Since 2001, the United States has expended vast resources attempting to promote the rule of law in Afghanistan. This effort failed for two reasons. First, U.S. efforts prioritized supporting the state legal system, despite its corruption and lack of legitimacy. Second, policymakers often overlooked nonstate tribal and religious justice systems. Successfully promoting the rule of law after conflict requires realistic expectations and deep understanding of a country’s legal culture, politics, and history.
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The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.
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For Academic Citation:
Geoffrey Swenson, "Why U.S. Efforts to Promote the Rule of Law in Afghanistan Failed," International Security, Vol. 42, No. 1 (Summer 2017), pp. 114–151.
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Summary
Since 2001, the United States has expended vast resources attempting to promote the rule of law in Afghanistan. This effort failed for two reasons. First, U.S. efforts prioritized supporting the state legal system, despite its corruption and lack of legitimacy. Second, policymakers often overlooked nonstate tribal and religious justice systems. Successfully promoting the rule of law after conflict requires realistic expectations and deep understanding of a country’s legal culture, politics, and history.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.Geoffrey Swenson, "Why U.S. Efforts to Promote the Rule of Law in Afghanistan Failed," International Security, Vol. 42, No. 1 (Summer 2017), pp. 114–151.
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