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Revolution Unending: Gilles Dorronsoro |
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Having traveled,
observed, and researched intensively in Afghanistan since 1988, Gilles
Dorronsoro is a uniquely well-informed analyst of the country and its
peoples, with unrivaled knowledge, especially of its non-Pashtun areas. While not understanding
the oft-cited "ethnic factor" in Afghan politics, especially
Pashtun dominance, Dorronsoro argues that class and the competition for
employment and education are key factors in explaining the country's recent
past. |
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The 1990s saw a
confrontation between the educated and the religious authorities (the ulema) and the marginalization of the
traditional elites. Contrary to the glib
optimism of world politicians, this conflict may periodically go into quiet
phases, but it has not ended. With coalition
intervention and the subsequent deposition of the ulema-dominated
Taliban government, the educated elites are back in power. However, as Dorronsoro argues, patching up the country by means of
short-term ethnic alliances and a new division of the spoils will only
perpetuate the schisms in society. He believes, on a very sound factual and
analytical basis, that the Afghan civil war is set to continue and perhaps
worsen over time, despite Western intervention since 9/11. Gilles Dorronsoro is professor of political science at the
University of Paris I (Pantheon Sorbonne). He is a prominent expert on
contemporary Afghan politics who has lectured throughout the world. This book
is a revised and expanded version of Dorronsoro's La
Re'volution afaghane: Des
communistes aux talebans
(2000). He is cofounder of the European Journal of Turkish Studies. |