Afghans Search for Democracy

"Taking a new step, uttering a new word is what people fear most."

 - Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881), Russian novelist, journalist

I read this Washington Post article by Pamela Constable this morning, and found myself remembering all the times I've been in a room with a diverse group of people, trying to get past everyone's differences so that a conclusion could be reached that would be beneficial to all. It was never easy, but what the Afghans face is a mountain compared to any debate I ever had.

I believe their task may be more difficult than that faced by the framers of our own Constitution, for, unlike the Afghans with the Taliban, we had risen against our oppressors, and wanted to create a different kind of government for ourselves.  

Too, there were only 55 delegates in that three-and-a-half month meeting in Philadelphia, as opposed to the 500 who will form Afghanistan's constitutional assembly. That those 55 men could come to an agreement was, according to George Washington, "little short of a miracle." I wonder what old George would have said about getting 500 people to come to an agreement?

Most of the delegates, "...want democracy, but only if it is according to Islamic law." They have also agreed that women should be able to participate in the assembly, but there are few female candidates. Will these women speak up, when their tradition has placed them in a subordinate role to men? To say there are differences in the demands of the various political and religious groups would be a huge understatement, so whoever is facilitating this thing had better have some moxie.

Despite the potential stumbling blocks, the fact they have reached this point in such a historic process is a great achievement. Let's wish them a successful assembly, and hope they can get past their differences for the sake of their country's future.