Democratic Nation Building in the Arc of Crisis: The Case of the Presidential Election in Afghanistan; Book chapter

摘要

On October 9, 2004, Afghanistan held a historic presidential election. On January 30, 2005, the people of Iraq participated in their first open election in 50 years. Both of these elections were of intense interest to the United States because they represented the initial recognition of a central aspect of the radical post-9/11 shift in U.S. foreign policy strategy and tactics the aggressive pursuit of global democracy. A year after the tragic events of 9/11, the Bush administration published the new U.S. national security strategy. This strategy was founded on three critical elements. First, to prevent terrorist and other possible threats to the U.S. homeland, the United States 'will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self-defense by acting preemptively.' Second, the United States will maintain instruments of power, including 'unparalleled military strength and great economic and political influence' to make it impermeable to challenge by any foe. 'Our forces will be strong enough to dissuade potential adversaries from pursuing a military build-up in hopes of surpassing, or equaling, the power of the United States.' Lastly, the United States will promote democracy worldwide. 'We will make freedom and the development of democratic institutions key themes in our bilateral relations, seeking solidarity and cooperation from other democracies while we press governments that deny human rights to move toward a better future.' This chapter focuses on one aspect of the new national security policy -- the promotion of democracy -- relative to that policy's initial test case in Afghanistan. Specifically, it examines a central component of the U.S. promotion of democracy in Afghanistan -- the presidential electoral process as well as the meaning of its results to future democratic development. The analysis of this case raises important questions as to the problems facing the United States as it pursues the promotion of global democracy.