Overview

Since 2001, the capabilities of the Afghan state have been a priority on the world stage. The reign of Amir Abdur Rahman, who established the current state of Afghanistan, is critical in understanding the development of the current state, and the possibilities that are open to the current government. When Amir Abdur Rahman ascended to the throne of Kabul, he ruled little more than the city itself. Over the course of his 21 year reign, he established institutions that enabled the first peaceful transition of power in the history of Afghanistan, and formalized the state that currently exists. Understanding the methods used by Abdur Rahman, the context in which he used them, and the results of the application of those methods shed light on the understanding of the Afghan state and the possibilities for the current Afghan state. Abdur Rahman's "internal imperialism" and cooption of the Islamic religious authorities successfully extended state authority, but allowed the foundations of alternative power structures to remain. Abdur Rahman's military modernization, governmental bureaucratization and economic development again facilitated short term stability, but again allowed the return of instability over time. Finally, the imposition of boundaries on Afghanistan by the external state system changed the nature of boundaries and shaped the extension of state power. This context, the methods employed, and the results of those actions provide insight into the propensities of the Afghan system in relation to the state. This insight then shapes the understanding of the possibilities that are open for extending the power of the current state in relation to similar actors in a similar system.