Arif Sahar – författare

This book analyses the securitization of ethnic identities and social groups by the state in Afghanistan in the post-2001 context.

Securitization is arguably the most successful theoretical framework to analyse security beyond the military confines. Yet, despite its broadening agenda, the securitization framework has been accused of a Western bias. This book analyses the extent and the modalities and practices of the securitization of ethnic identities and social groups (e.g. women) by the state in Afghanistan post-2001, which is especially relevant following the takeover by the Taliban in August 2021. It puts forward a more nuanced argument by analytically distinguishing and empirically testing state policies, practices, and perspectives on ethnic and social groups that are largely informed by the fear and legacies of civil war (1978–2001). The work argues that the traditional lack of a stable state identity that could function as a basis for ontological security in Afghanistan has resulted in a persistent state of fragility exacerbated by the legacies and fears of civil war that have had a direct impact on the development of the state’s perspectives on ethnic and social groups. Whilst the state does not necessarily indulge in explicit securitization practices and discourses, securitization often takes place through implicit activities to undermine ethnic and social groups’ ability to enter political, economic, and socio-cultural competitions fairly and equitably, which would, in turn, enable these groups to challenge the state. The securitization process, therefore, has had an impact on the ability of these groups to benefit from opportunities fairly and equitably.

This book will be of much interest to students of critical security studies, statebuilding, Asian politics, and International Relations in general.

This book analyses the securitization of ethnic identities and social groups by the state in Afghanistan in the post-2001 context.

Securitization is arguably the most successful theoretical framework to analyse security beyond the military confines. Yet, despite its broadening agenda, the securitization framework has been accused of a Western bias. This book analyses the extent and the modalities and practices of the securitization of ethnic identities and social groups (e.g. women) by the state in Afghanistan post-2001, which is especially relevant following the takeover by the Taliban in August 2021. It puts forward a more nuanced argument by analytically distinguishing and empirically testing state policies, practices, and perspectives on ethnic and social groups that are largely informed by the fear and legacies of civil war (1978–2001). The work argues that the traditional lack of a stable state identity that could function as a basis for ontological security in Afghanistan has resulted in a persistent state of fragility exacerbated by the legacies and fears of civil war that have had a direct impact on the development of the state’s perspectives on ethnic and social groups. Whilst the state does not necessarily indulge in explicit securitization practices and discourses, securitization often takes place through implicit activities to undermine ethnic and social groups’ ability to enter political, economic, and socio-cultural competitions fairly and equitably, which would, in turn, enable these groups to challenge the state. The securitization process, therefore, has had an impact on the ability of these groups to benefit from opportunities fairly and equitably.

This book will be of much interest to students of critical security studies, statebuilding, Asian politics, and International Relations in general.

This book analyses ethnic conflict, peace, and democracy in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on the Hazara peoples struggles during the 2001-2021 era.

Ethnicity shapes everything in Afghanistan, its state, its political structures and its social institutions. This book aims to evaluate how ethnicity shapes politics in Afghanistan and focuses on some of the aspects of the Hazara people’s struggles to reach sustainable peace with justice in Afghanistan. It develops a new framework to better understand that ethnicity is not just a ‘politically sensitive issue’ but defines how politics is being conducted; in that sense, the ‘how’ of Afghanistan’s politics along ethnic divisions is re-conceptualized, problematized, and contextualized. The book puts forward a nuanced argument by analytically distinguishing between and empirically testing political and social behaviours, perspectives, and practices in relation to ethnicity, which is increasingly gaining in salience and informing intercommunal relationships in Afghanistan. This approach provides significant new insights into non-traditional political contexts.

This book will be of much interest to students of ethnic conflict, Asian politics, critical security studies, and international relations.

This book analyses ethnic conflict, peace, and democracy in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on the Hazara peoples struggles during the 2001-2021 era.

Ethnicity shapes everything in Afghanistan, its state, its political structures and its social institutions. This book aims to evaluate how ethnicity shapes politics in Afghanistan and focuses on some of the aspects of the Hazara people’s struggles to reach sustainable peace with justice in Afghanistan. It develops a new framework to better understand that ethnicity is not just a ‘politically sensitive issue’ but defines how politics is being conducted; in that sense, the ‘how’ of Afghanistan’s politics along ethnic divisions is re-conceptualized, problematized, and contextualized. The book puts forward a nuanced argument by analytically distinguishing between and empirically testing political and social behaviours, perspectives, and practices in relation to ethnicity, which is increasingly gaining in salience and informing intercommunal relationships in Afghanistan. This approach provides significant new insights into non-traditional political contexts.

This book will be of much interest to students of ethnic conflict, Asian politics, critical security studies, and international relations.