RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Prospects for Peace and Stability in Afghanistan

SUBMITTED TO:

AZHAR

SUBMITTED BY:

EESHA ARSHAD

(2018-MDDS-001)

SUBMISSION DATE:

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................1
1.1 Research Questions..................................................................................................................2
1.2 Literature Review....................................................................................................................2
1.3 Hypothesis...............................................................................................................................3
1.4 Variables:.................................................................................................................................4
1.4.1 Dependent Variable.........................................................................................................4
1.4.2 Independent Variable......................................................................................................4
1.5 Research Methodology:...........................................................................................................4
1.5.1 Sampling Design:............................................................................................................4
1.5.2 Data Collection Method:.................................................................................................5
1.6 Theoratical Framework.............................................................................................................5

1.7 Organisation of Study........................................................................................................................5

2. BIBLIOGRAPHY:....................................................................................……………………6
 Prospects for Peace and Stabilization in
Afghanistan

1. INTRODUCTION

Afghanistan is a battle-scarred country which has experience years of conflict and hostilities.
This prevailed bloodshed has inhibited the process of lasting peace in the region. Regional states
along with world’s great powers believe that stability is pre-requisite for prosperity in the entire
South Asian region. The conflict is not limited to the Afghan Governments and rebel groups only
but also involves the US, the NATO and Afghanistan’s neighboring states.

The Strategies and methods backed by the US-led forces and ISAF, aiming to bring peace in
war-torn country have been proved ineffective due to lack of understanding and appropriated
strategies. Also the idea of establishing permanent bases have gained support within US but this
have installed concerns in China, Iran, Russia and other countries due to Afghanistan being
highly Geo-strategic area for all. The dilemma for future stability prospects addresses that there
is alarming situation of core issues but lack confidence between the parties which hinders it to
reach at an agreement even on straightforward grounds.

This paper deals with a coherent approach that covers multi-layered truths of the instability
involving; steps and levels, beginning with dialogue and CBMs to limitation of military and
formal negotiations, International influence and third-party facilitation. Further, it discussed how
regional connectivity, foreign military presence, democracy and peacemaking could set grounds
for possibilities of stabilization in Afghanistan. At the end document elaborates a state and non-
state model for sustainable justice (Hybrid Model For Justice in Afghanistan), that aims for
rebuilding a coherent framework of existing ‘Afghan Justice System’ and reconciliation for
peace negotiations between the combatants (the Taliban and the Government).

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1.1 Research Questions

1. How can political and military strategies be integrated to support a peaceful settlement in
Afghanistan?
2. How can international partners provide effective support for the initiation of political
process in Afghanistan?
3. What are the possibilities for negotiating a mutually acceptable end-state in Afghanistan
among the multiplicity of domestic and foreign interests involved?
4. What are the methods that could provide justice effectively and equitably to the breadth
of Afghan society?

1.2 Literature Review:

Researcher has consulted quite a number of articles and books and the most relevant work is
Search for Peace in Afghanistan written by Barnett R. Rubin, This book analyzes the part played
by international politics in this debacle, discussing how changing patterns of strategic conflict
and cooperation have affected international negotiations over Afghanistan from the period of the
civil war to the present. It highlights that despite making many efforts and resources aimed for
bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan, the result has been meagre at most. The main causes
of the present situation in Afghanistan include lack of proper planning, shifting policies,
inattention to geopolitical realities and over-reliance on military power without the necessary
attention to development and civilian assistance plans. The current, predominantly military
US/NATO approaches have little or no chance of success unless a comprehensive approach,
including a vigorous humanitarian plan, is adopted. Analysis of the role of regional and
neighbouring countries in Afghanistan shows that a viable solution could be found on the basis
of a dialogue and regional cooperation.

Another book researcher has consulted is Incremental peace in Afghanistan author of this book is
Anna Larson .This study identify the need for a radical change in approach to move beyond
peace rhetoric in Afghanistan through a progressive, step-by-step process towards
political settlement, which builds stability, confidence and legitimacy over time. This would
pursue two phased objectives: first, short-term – to reduce violence which inevitably involves a

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central role for the conflict parties, principally the Taliban and the Afghan government; and
second, long-term – to achieve a more broadly inclusive social contract representative of all
Afghans which is only achievable with involvement and ultimately endorsement across Afghan
society.

Another relevant study includes Putting the Hybrid Model of the Justice System in Afghanistan
into Practice proposed by Dr. Ali Wardak. His research produced what is described as the
‘hybrid model’ of justice for Afghanistan. The ‘hybrid model’ combined and blended traditional
Afghan justice (Jirga and Shura) with more modern Afghan State justice system and existing
human rights institutions in Afghanistan. The ‘hybrid model of Afghan justice’ proposes the
creation of institutional links between state and non-state justice systems and a female-dominated
human rights unit as a check and balance on rights abuses by both courts and jirgas, while courts
and jirgas were also each checks and balances on the other. According to this model, the
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms would handle minor criminal offenses and
civil cases, giving people a choice to have their cases heard at the nearest state court. All serious
criminal cases, according to the model, would fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the state
justice system. The model further proposes that when ADR decisions fail to be approved by
either the proposed Human Rights Unit or the concerned state court, they would need to be
revised, or referred to state justice system for adjudication. Also, when ADR decisions are not
satisfactory to one or both disputants, they can be taken back to the state justice system.

The researcher took help from Peace-building and democracy promotion in Afghanistan written
by Marissa Quie, who underlined ‘democracy’ and ‘peace’ as concomitant objectives in war-torn
societies. However, these assumption of the convergence of these two goals often proves
problematic in practice, leading to conflict and ineffective intervention. This contribution focuses
on the connections between democracy and peace-building in Afghanistan, through the lens of
the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme (APRP).

1.3 Hypothesis:

Peace and stability in Afghanistan rests on indigenous efforts.

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1.4 Variables

1.4.1 Dependent Variables

Peace and stability are dependent variables

1.4.2 Independent Variables

Indigenous efforts are independent variables

1.5 Research Methodology:

The methodology applied by the researcher has been chosen in order to acquire information
regarding the prospects of peace and stability in Afghanistan and to answer the question that how
peace can be prevailed and sustained within a war-torn state like Afghanistan. Qualitative
research methods will be used to collect information. In depth study and secondary data
collection are the selected methods for assembling data.

1.5.1 Research Design:

Ideally one wants to study the entire population, however, usually it is impossible or
unfeasible to do so and therefore one must settle for a sample design. Sample design is a portion
of elements taken from a population, which is considered to be representative of the population.
In order to collect authentic data, the in depth interviews with peace studies experts will be
conducted. Having in mind the limitations of direct connection with population, research will be
consisted of the political scientists, peace studies experts and policy makers mainly.

The technique of personal and in depth interviewing is undertaken in order to reach the
objectives since it is the most versatile and productive method of communication, enabled
spontaneity, and also provided with: “The skill of guiding the discussion back to the topic
outlined when discussions are unfruitful while it has the disadvantages of being very costly time
consuming and can introduce bias through desires of the respondent to please the interviewer.

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 1.5.2 Data Collection Method:
The primary data will be collected from Peace Study experts, Political Scientists and
from books and journals. These data will be indirectly gathered from the respondents through the
in depth literature and feedback forms from experts.

1.6 Theoretical framework

The subject matter of the present study is linked with the core concepts of theoretical
frameworks of David Mitrany’s Theory of Functional Cooperation which describes that, peace is
achieved through functional cooperation and by collective work of Organizations (including
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, third-party facilitators etc). There are
need for actions on practical and technical problems rather than military and political nature.
According to David Mitrany, dealing with functional matter provides the actors in international
or regional sphere opportunity to cooperate in non-political and functional manner, which might
otherwise be harder to achieve the ultimate goals for peace in states.

The substantive functions of functional cooperation includes human rights, international

cooperation, health, rule of law, international relief programs, refugee support, and economic
development. The paper also deals with the functional ways of stabilizing Afghanistan in terms
of strengthening its internal governmental units, providing foreign military and economic
assistance and helping regulating justice system, human rights units and other environmental
supports.

1.7 Organization of Study:

Introduction
Chapter no 1: Incremental Political Processes in Afghanistan
Chapter no 2: Principles for Stabilization
Chapter no 3: Institutionalizing Sustainable peace
Chapter no 4: Reconciliation
Conclusion and Recommendations
Bibliography

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2. BIBLIOGRAPHY:

 Akseer, T., Miller, R. and Haidary, S. (2017). Afghanistan In 2017; A survey of the

Afghan People. [online] Asiafoundation.org. Available at: https://asiafoundation.org/wp-
content/uploads/2017/11/2017_AfghanSurvey_report.pdf

 Kausary, H. (2013). South Asia County Assessment: Afghanistan. Counter Terrorist

Trends and Analyses, 5(1), pp.19-22.

 Quie, M. (2012). Peace-building and democracy promotion in Afghanistan: the

Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme and reconciliation with the
Taliban. Democratization, 19(3), pp.553-574.

 Galster, S. (1988). Rivalry and reconciliation in Afghanistan: What prospects for the
accords?. Third World Quarterly, 10(4), pp.1505-1541.

 Barfield, T. (2004). Problems in establishing legitimacy in Afghanistan. Iranian Studies,

37(2), pp.263-293.

 Ishaque, W. (2017). Prospects of Enduring Peace in Afghanistan: Avoiding Zero Sum

Game in Af-Pak Region. Global Social Sciences Review, II(II), pp.146-161.

 Najibullah, H. (2017). Reconciliation and Social Healing in Afghanistan. Wiesbaden:

Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.

 Larson, A. (2018). Accord - Incremental peace in Afghanistan. [online] www.c-r.org.

Available at: https://www.c-r.org/resources/accord-incremental-peace-afghanistan

 Sajid, A. (2011). Stable Afghanistan; Suggested Governments Models for Afghanistan in

Post Afghan War Scenario. [online] Ndu.edu.pk. Available at:
https://ndu.edu.pk/issra/issra_pub/articles/issra-paper/ISSRA_Papers_Vol3_IssueII_2011/02-
Stable-Afghanistan-Afshan-Sajid.pdf

 Thier, A. and Worden, S. (2017). Political Stability in Afghanistan: A 2020 Vision and

Roadmap. [online] United States Institute of Peace. Available at:

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https://www.usip.org/publications/2017/07/political-stability-afghanistan-2020-vision-and-
roadmap

 Semple, M. (2009). Reconciliation in Afghanistan. [online] United States Institute of

Peace. Available at: https://www.usip.org/publications/2009/09/reconciliation-afghanistan

 Rubin, B. (1997). Search for Peace in Afghanistan | Yale University Press. [online]

Yalebooks.yale.edu. Available at: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300063769/search-
peace-afghanistan

 Wardak, A. (2013). ‘Putting the Hybrid Model of the Justice System in Afghanistan into
Practice.