Political Participation and Public Perceptions: Testing and Revisiting Afghanistan's Social Contract After Taliban 2.0

This study applies the social contract theory to examine political participation in Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. While recognising Afghanistan's unique historical and cultural context, we argue that social contract theory provides a valuable framework for understanding governance dynamics in this complex setting. The study surveyed 400 respondents across six Afghan provinces, exploring public perceptions of governance, political engagement and democratic processes. Our findings reveal that despite Afghanistan's distinct traditions, many citizens hold expectations of government that align with social contract principles. A majority (67.95%) believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, citing security, economic issues and restrictions on women's rights as key concerns. Notably, 91.5% of respondents support elections as the means of selecting leadership, indicating a strong desire for democratic processes. The study also found widespread support (78.5%) for peace negotiations with opposition groups. These results demonstrate the relevance of social contract theory in understanding the evolving relationship between Afghan citizens and the Taliban government. By adapting this framework to incorporate local customs and Islamic governance principles, we gain insights into both the unique aspects of Afghanistan's political landscape and the universal challenges of state-building in post-conflict societies. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of governance in non-Western contexts and offers valuable insights for policymakers and scholars working on state-building in complex cultural and political environments.