Identity-seeking in the state building process of Afghanistan

This paper discusses the identity policy and development of the national identity in Afghanistan, which is in state building process. The scope of the study is the identity policy adopted in Afghanistan from the past to present and the identity-seeking process experienced in politics with the building of the new public institutions after the invasion of the USA. The new political order established after the invasion of the USA is deemed to enhance the national identity through a management mentality that is based on democracy and ethnic pluralism. On the other hand, it can be stated that; the problems encountered due to the traditional political structure of Afghanistan are preventing the enhancement of the national identity. At the end of this study, it is expected that; it will be a long and fragile process for Afghanistan to replace the traditional institutions with the new public institutions. It has also been concluded that; the possibility for the enhancement of the national identity in this country is rather low and that, the national identity can only be enhanced if the process becomes successful by overcoming its fragility.