Intercultural challenges and conflicts in Afghanistan: Suggestions for a gradual transition from a historical situation

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Prof. of Communications and Global Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Communications, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Afghanistan, with its forty-six identified ethnicities, two official languages, and over thirty native languages, is a culturally diverse and pluralistic country. If we multiply the above elements by factors such as religion, race, and sect, a matrix of multiple states emerges. By placing these equations side by side, the pieces of a thousand-piece puzzle are completed, and the picture of Afghanistan is drawn on the geographical map. This study, from the perspective of intercultural communication, using a qualitative approach and the interview technique, has examined both sides of this plurality in two sections: "describing the situation" and "recommendations to the governance". It has attempted to explain and interpret its findings using Gleiz's communication accommodation theory. According to this theory, actors—at both micro and macro levels—adopt strategies of convergence, divergence, and maintenance in their communicative behavior toward one another. The research findings indicate that the existing conflicts, from the interviewees' perspective, fall into two broad categories: schematic challenges (inter-ethnic mentalities) and political challenges (intercultural conflict). These challenges are primarily explained under four categories: "ethnic diversity", "linguistic diversity", "religious diversity", and "unilateralism and cultural authoritarianism". Furthermore, the proposed solutions, from the interviewees' perspective, to overcome this historical situation are categorized into four areas: "improving the level of literacy and education", "redesigning the media system", "developing domestic tourism", and "strengthening civil society organizations". Research indicates that cultural diversity and its manifestations, while historically posing a threat to Afghanistan's territorial integrity, national identity, and political unity under unilateral and ethnocentric approaches, can be transformed into a comparative advantage for the country. By shifting from a threat-based perspective to one that focuses on developing and promoting intercultural dialogue, it can foster national unity, cultural strength, national pride, political participation, and social security. In other words, intercultural communication in Afghanistan's current situation is both a crisis and a solution.

Keywords

Main Subjects

حوزة موضوعی: افغانستان

Scope: Afghanistan

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Journal of Countries Studies
Volume 3, Issue 1
2025
Pages 163-195

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 03 November 2024
  • Accept Date: 05 November 2024

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