Work

The Collapse of Democracy in Afghanistan: A Critique of Fukuyama’s Anglo-American Dream of Global Democratic Triumph

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This article critically examines the 2021 collapse of the Afghan government, challenging Francis Fukuyama's "End of History" theory and his Anglo-American Dream of Global Democratic Triumph, which posits that liberal democracy is the final form of governance. Despite two decades of international efforts to establish democracy in Afghanistan, the Taliban's rapid takeover reveals the complexity of political evolution shaped by deep-rooted cultural, historical, and political factors. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, this study situates Afghanistan's failed democratic project within global trends, such as the persistence of authoritarian regimes and the rise of populism. The findings suggest that political progress is not linear and is influenced by economic, geopolitical, and cultural forces, urging a reevaluation of Fukuyama’s thesis.

Source: Panoply Journal

DOI: 10.71166/0c20jx18

Author: Nawid Aria

Institution: Jami University

Language: English

Topic: Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: U.S. Department of State, Universitetet i Stavanger