Afghanistan’s Democracy: A Sustainable Long-term Goal?

One of Afghanistan’s policy aims is to become a pluralist democracy ; however, there is a mounting fear as to what will happen after NATO forces hand over control to the Afghan government and by extension, to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) who will henceforth maintain peace and security and fighting throughout the country. Many citizens and outside stakeholders question whether the country will plunge back into a bloody civil war or anarchy. Or will Afghanistan maintain its current democratic position? Democracy in Afghanistan seemingly rests on the edge of a knife; if disaster strikes it will be both swift and bloody. Time will be the ultimate test for the fragile Afghan government.