The Electoral Performance of Afghan Political Parties: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

This article aims to examine the electoral results of two Afghan political groups in the former and post-Taliban periods in Afghanistan. The study's main objective is to evaluate the electoral victories of the Afghan Social Democratic Party (Afghan Mellat) and Jamiat-e Islami Afghanistan (the Islamic Society of Afghanistan). Basic, deductive, and comparative analysis is used in the study, which is mostly conducted by examining the primary and secondary data that are already accessible. In order to get to a conclusion, the study examines how the two parties listed above have changed historically and looks into their organizational structure, communication plans, and clientele relationships. This article explains the conclusion that political parties with connections to prominent local figures—Mujahidin and ethnic leaders have substantial political and electoral support bases—generally do better in elections than organizations with less connections. Accordingly, Afghan Mellat, which has poor relationships with the local notables, Mujahidin and ethnic leaders, is experiencing less electoral success than Jamiat-e Islami Afghanistan, which has strong ties to the local notables, Mujahidin and ethnic leaders. Building relationships with the Mujahidin provides a platform for bolstering organizational and financial resources, which are important elements increasing the possibility of electoral/party victory.

Keywords

• Electoral Performance
• Afghan Political Parties
• Jamiat-E Islami Afghanistan (Islamic Society of Afghanistan)
• Afghan Mellat (Afghan Social Democratic Party)
• Mujaheddin

Afgan Siyasi Partilerinin Seçim Performansı: Karşılaştırmalı Bir Analiz

Öz

Bu makale Taliban yönetimi sonrası Afganistan’da iki Afgan siyasi partinin seçim performansını mukayeseli bir biçimde analiz etmeyi hedeflemektedir. Araştırmanın referans çerçevesi, “Jamiat-e Islami Afghanistan” (Afganistan İslam Toplumu) ve "Afghan Mellat” (Afganistan Sosyal Demokrat Partisi) partilerinin seçim başarılarına odaklanmaktadır. Çalışma özü itibariyle temel, öğretici ve mukayeseli bir analizi bünyesinde barındırmakta ve nitel araştırma tekniği tatbik edilerek birincil ve ikincil kaynaklardan edinilen verilere dayandırılmaktadır. Netice olarak araştırma söz konusu iki partinin tarihsel gelişimine temas ederek her iki partiyi yönetimleri, yapıları, kampanya stratejileri ve kayırma ilişkileri bakımından ele almaktadır. Çalışma, Mücahitler, yerel otoriterler ve güçlü seçmen desteğine sahip etnik liderle bağı olan siyasi partilerin seçim başarılarının daha fazla olduğu sonuca ulaşmaktadır. Bu bakımdan söz konusu güçlü bağlara sahip olan “Jamiat-e Islami Afghanistan” (Afganistan İslam Toplumu) Partisi’nin bu irtibatlardan mahrum olan "Afghan Mellat” (Afganistan Sosyal Demokrat Partisi) Partisine göre daha avantajlı olduğunu göstermektedir. Zira Rus işgalcileri ülkeden kovan Mücahitlerin oluşturduğu kast sistemiyle kurulan yakın ilişkiler teşkilatlanmada kullanılabilecek zengin mali kaynaklar üzerinden sağlam bir zemin oluşturmakta ve partinin müstakbel başarısını garantiye alacak imkân ve kabiliyetleri teşkil etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Seçim Performansı
• Afgan Siyasi Partileri
• Afganistan İslam Toplumu (Jamiat-E Islami Afghanistan)
• Afganistan Sosyal Demokrat Partisi (Afghan Mellat)
• Mücahitler

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