The Cons of a Speculative Society

02.01.2012

Afghanistan is well-known for having a speculative society for as long as I know as an Afghan citizen abroad. Speculation has always had a strong root in our society, be it political or socio-economical.

No doubt, literacy plays a big part in countering negative speculations and will ultimately lead the society in believing in their capabilities and pave the way for a self sufficient society in the long-run.

We certainly need to learn the art of self-reliability and get rid of the speculations that if a certain country or institution leaves us alone, we might be stuck in turmoil and go into economic depression, we indeed have to maintain a cordial relationship with the rest of the world, but the truth of the matter is that we have to take the initial steps of counting on our physical and natural resources and start using them to reach a sustainable development and lasting economic growth.

Reviewing the history of post-conflict countries as Afghanistan, their initial human investment which primarily included educating their population has given them the current economic prosperity and a well informed society. For instance, Japan after world war two, had been completely destroyed and all its physical and human capital were severely demolished, but the prudence of the then ruling government and their concentration on facilitating education to their fellow citizens has made them one of the most successful states in the world, currently being labeled as the second economy of the world.

On the other hand, the story of European states is both fascinating and inspiring, before the MARSHAL PLAN was to introduce to those particular European countries at that time, they were pretty deeply sank in economic downfall while Germany one of the biggest economies of the world was experiencing the great depression. But they believed in their capabilities and hard work and used all their energy in rebuilding their countries instead of being engaged in ethnic, racial or language discrimination which are very common in our society even now.

In Afghanistan, after the Taliban regime was toppled by the U.S. in late 2001, it certainly was a great opportunity for us to reintegrate and find a common ground in dealing with our national interest, while putting an end to all our differences. No doubt, we have still come along way and only if we realize the strength that lies in our unity and educate ourselves as much as we can so that nobody is left without understanding our joint prosperity and get rid of the inherited negative speculations which only keeps us apart and dependent on others support and donations God knows for how long.

A speculative society will never have the drive to move forward and utilize its energy in fulfilling its needs and that of its fellow citizens. It will always be happy being linked to others both financially and morally and speculate about its future based on its vulnerability and self-reliance.

Last but not least, in order to turn our speculative society into a productive one, we in Afghanistan certainly have to focus our greatest efforts in educating our mass population and building the confidence among our young generation to believe in their capabilities and organize a strong movement in support for economic dynamism and awakening citizenship.

Author: Naser Koshan

Washington, U.S.

2012

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Sohrob Aslamy	04.01.2012 - 00:30
I think that your point on education is spot on, however Afghanistan is wildly different than post-WWII Japan or Germany. Yes, ethnic antagonisms have and continue to plague the nation of Afghanistan, but they cannot be simply ignored or thought to vanish with reform in education. These ethnic tensions will persist even with massive education reforms because they are fundamental to structure of what we know as the country,"Afghanistan". This country has been formed, its borders drawn and name chosen, not by those who lived within the region but by imperial powers who sought to attain the region for strategic purposes. My point is this: the root of the ethnic problem in Afghanistan is "Afghanistan". How can an Uzbek, or a Turkmen, or Hazara, or Tajik, or Balouch, or Nooristani, or Kirghiz, or any other prominent ethnic group sensibly call themselves "Afghan"? This term is a Pashtoon appellation, and as so it denies proper ethnic recognition to those non-Pashtoons who are being forced to don this false identity. Afghanistan as it stands now, unlike Germany or Japan, is not one land, but many lands that have been clumped together in a crude and irresponsible fashion. The only way to correct this grand error is to re-draw borders, promote an ideology of universal human brotherhood, and reconstruct the lands into one land by promoting ethnically neutral reforms- including changing the name of the country- so that an ethnic minority no longer monopolizes the rest of society