Concurrently implementing Islam and democracy in Afghanistan: Failure causes and future prospects.

Islam and democracy have been widely considered incompatible, especially in Muslim-majority countries. This thesis, with a contextual focus on Afghanistan, looks into the failure of the concurrent implementation of Islam and democracy in that country. The thesis takes a nuanced perspective and proposes a theory in which institutions (laws and regulations) and education play a prominent role in consolidating Islam and democracy. The research employs a mixed-method research design, with an aim to explore the influence of constitutional design and public education in shaping democratic outcomes within Islamic contexts. The findings reveal that Afghanistan’s constitution and laws were broadly compatible with Islam and democracy, however low levels of education among the population and elites (clerics) led to the failure of Islam and democracy. This research underscores the significance of education in strengthening systems where Islamic values and democratic principles can coexist, offering insights for policymakers and scholars in political development.