Suchergebnisse

In some respects, the Western perspective on Iran and Afghanistan is a Eurocentric one, emphasizing the restrictive character of the Iranian regime and the threat caused by the hotly debated nuclear program. In the current discourse on the situation in Afghanistan, Iran does not play any role and its position is largely unknown. The following essay focuses on the history of Afghan-Iranian relations and highlights Iran's position and self-image in the wider region. As the title suggests, bilateral relations between the two countries are characterized by continuity and shifts. In addition, the paper sheds light on Iran's skillful handling of international affairs and politics, though the strategic maneuverings of Iranian policy makers have not always helped to reach the envisaged targets. Regarding Afghanistan, the Iranians have been sophisticated players, but the essay argues that Iran's relations with its eastern neighbor are shaped by both domestic factors and circumstances on the global level.

The objective of this paper is to stimulate a discussion about the conditions, modes and benefits of non-state-centric socio-political analyses. By introducing the notion of 'social order' the authors attempt to draft a conceptual approach of how to understand political processes and outcomes in a comprehensive way. Referring to some preliminary research results obtained during two years of extensive field and archival research in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, the paper embodies, first, a unique attempt at utilizing a number of theories borrowed from the social sciences and, second, a piece of research that has to be seen as work in progress rather than an all conclusive formula. The point of departure is the empirical observation that some kind of 'social order' always exists. We understand 'social order' as the structuring and structured processes of social reality. It is constantly generated by the interplay of worldviews and institutions. Translated into an analytical framework this approach potentially provides a new kind of vocabulary which - if used systematically - bridges different schools of thought in the social sciences as well as between actors in different societal fields related to politics, such as academia, policy-making, and in applied fields. In the case of a successful reception 'social order' - as advocated here - could serve as a trans-disciplinary boundary concept.