Cultural Relativism and Afghanistan: A Failure of Policy Not Counterinsurgency Efforts

Authors

Robert J. Bunker, Claremont Graduate UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Department

Politics and Economics (CGU)

Publication Date

2012

Disciplines

Political Science | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

While it may be true that many Afghani people yearn for our freedoms and system of governance, such nation building cannot be done without radically reengineering Afghani tribal society. Incising only the offending portions of Afghani culture, as the sergeant suggests, will not work. Do we eliminate blood feuds but not child brides and the honor killings of soiled daughters? Do we stop the execution of Muslim converts to Christianity?

Comments

Posted with the permission of and copyright retained by the Marine Corps Gazette.

Rights Information

© 2012 Marine Corps Association

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Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Recommended Citation

Bunker, Robert J. "Cultural Relativism and Afghanistan: a Failure of Policy Not Counterinsurgency Efforts." Marine Corps Gazette Jan. 2012: 20. Print.