One of the leading factors in the political development of a society is its political culture. Political culture in some countries has certain cultural codes that force politicians to act within that framework. In some countries, the political culture is struggling with fundamental flaws and inadequacies, which are also reflected in the behavior of politicians and leaders of that society.
The organizational culture of Afghanistan’s political parties is one of the factors involved in the failure of this society against various crises. Despite the fundamental crises in Afghanistan, there are still no signs of changing or even evaluate this problem. One of the damages caused by the incomplete political culture in Afghanistan, which has prevented the formation of healthy and successful political parties, is the individual-centeredness of organizations and political parties.
Political parties are a reflection of the sociological situation of countries, and the characteristics of these societies, positive or negative, also show themselves in the state of parties and organizations, and of course, leading parties help to make positive changes and improve the situation. In societies where the individual identity of people is not recognized and the individual identity fades in front of the collective identity, a pyramidal structure dominates it, in which instead of horizontal relations, the link between its inhabitants is vertical and to the extent that each person enjoys Power and wealth will be higher in the pyramid of power. This is the same situation that in the language of religion is interpreted as the relationship between lord and servant. Those who want to have a higher rank in this pyramid and be closer to its top, like obedient servants, spend all their energy to please God.
The party phenomenon is basically a modern phenomenon and it is the product of societies that recognize the individuality of humans. Modern parties are formed based on a kind of social contract between a number of citizens to pursue their common desires and ideals in a group form. In Afghanistan, this phenomenon has eroded in the tribal-village structures and the parties themselves have become an embodiment of the relationship between the top and the bottom. These parties ostensibly start with populist slogans and ideals, but soon become private companies for leaders who become their lifetime owners and pass them on to their children and grandchildren after death. The values these parties put forward are not even realized among their members, and the principles they write in their constitutions are not respected even by their leaders and founders. Decisions in these parties are not made through party institutions and structures, activities are not carried out based on policies and programs, there is no reporting and accountability in them, and the corruption and embezzlement that exists in governments has already been practiced and implemented in the form of these parties. .
The failed experiences of parties in Afghanistan are not specific to a particular trend, but the left, right and nationalist parties revolved around one or more handful of individuals and their history, reputation and identity are tied to that person/persons. Members of such parties become foot soldiers who have no role in the course of events. In such parties, the field is not favorable for the emergence of new figures at the leadership level, new blood does not flow in the veins of the organization, and over time, the party becomes a lifeless coffin on the shoulders of its members, who only have to carry its corpse. This situation is part of Afghanistan’s political culture and one of the obstacles for this country to overcome crises.