By Ihsanul Haq Ateed for Invisiblites
For two decades, between the fall of the first Taliban regime and their return to power in 2021, Afghanistan’s youth—especially those born in the 1990s and early 2000s—grew up in a vastly different social and political environment than their predecessors. This generation witnessed an Afghanistan that aspired to democracy, individual freedoms, and human rights—values that were once absent from their country’s historical narrative. Schools, universities, media, and civil society instilled the ideals of a modern, law-based society in them, offering hope that Afghanistan could break free from its past of instability and authoritarian rule.
However, with the return of the Taliban and the collapse of the state structures built over the past two decades, these aspirations came crashing down. The fall of the Afghan Republic in 2021 did not just dismantle political institutions—it shook the intellectual and ideological foundations of an entire generation. Young Afghans, who had spent their formative years believing in democracy, governance, and progress found themselves in a starkly different reality. The values they had internalized as guiding principles now seemed powerless against the forces of corruption, political failure, and a resurging authoritarian regime.
This crisis is not merely a political or social collapse – it represents an ideological defeat for Afghanistan’s youth. Concepts such as the rule of law, human rights, and social justice, which once formed the core of their beliefs, were undermined by systemic corruption, weak leadership, and a fragile political structure. Many young Afghans now find themselves lost between their former idealism and a harsh, regressive reality. This shift has not only affected their collective identity but has also eroded trust in modern governance and democratic values.
The Illusion of Legitimacy and the Collapse of Trust
Sociologist Max Weber identified three types of legitimacy that sustain political systems:
- Traditional legitimacy – rooted in customs, history, and long-standing cultural practices.
- Charismatic legitimacy – based on the authority of a strong leader.
- Rational-legal legitimacy – established through laws, institutions, and democratic governance.
After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan’s internationally backed government attempted to establish rational-legal legitimacy by adopting democratic laws, building institutions, and promoting elections. At first, this model seemed promising. Young Afghans, many of whom were the first in their families to receive formal education, believed they were shaping a new future for their country.
However, as corruption spread within government institutions, transparency eroded, and public dissatisfaction grew, the perceived legitimacy of the system weakened. The Afghan government’s inability to meet the people’s needs – coupled with widespread elite corruption – led to growing disillusionment. This breakdown in trust was particularly devastating for the younger generation, who had placed their faith in modern state-building. When the Republic collapsed in 2021, it was not just a political failure—it was the death of a dream.
Thousand Cuts of Omnipresent Authoritarianism – Invisiblites
The return of the Taliban further underscored this collapse of legitimacy. The Taliban’s rule is primarily based on traditional and religious legitimacy, relying on an interpretation of Islamic law and historical authority. For many young Afghans, this shift has been an emotional and intellectual rupture. They had hoped to replace traditional power structures with modern governance—but instead, they find themselves under a regime that rejects the very values they had embraced. This reality has intensified their disillusionment, leaving them feeling abandoned by both their government and the international community.
The Weaponization of Modern Values
Another factor contributing to this generational crisis is how democratic ideals – once symbols of hope – have been weaponized in political and international affairs. The global promotion of democracy, human rights, and personal freedoms initially inspired Afghan youth. These values were introduced through Western-backed institutions, NGOs, and educational programs. However, over time, many young Afghans began to perceive these ideals not as universal principles but as tools of foreign intervention.
This shift in perception aligns with Karl Marx’s theory of alienation – where individuals feel disconnected from the values they once embraced. In Afghanistan, young people who once fought for democracy and human rights now view these concepts as externally imposed, rather than organically developed within their society. The rapid collapse of the Republic only reinforced this belief.
The Taliban’s return intensified this alienation. Democratic values, once seen as a means for progress, are now associated with failed governance, corruption, and foreign influence. This disillusionment has left young Afghans questioning not just their country’s political trajectory but also their place within it. They are trapped in a paradox: rejecting the Taliban’s restrictive rule while simultaneously distrusting the very ideals that once promised them freedom.
A Generation Caught Between Two Eras
The crisis of Afghanistan’s youth is fundamentally a struggle between the past and the future. Raised in a period of hope and transition, they now find themselves in an era that seeks to erase those very changes. This generation is not simply mourning the fall of a political system; they are grappling with the collapse of their ideological foundation. Historically, transitions between regimes have been accompanied by shifts in national identity. In Afghanistan, however, this transition has been especially brutal – leaving an entire generation stranded between two vastly different worlds.
In Part 2, we will explore how this shift has led to a profound identity crisis among Afghan youth, the theoretical implications of their alienation, and the broader consequences for Afghanistan’s future.
Ihsanul Haq Ateed is a graduate of Political Science and International Relations from the University of Lahore. His focus is on gender issues, human rights, and international affairs, and beyond. With experience in civil society organizations and a passion for exploring issues of governance, democracy, and youth empowerment, he frequently write on topics related to human rights, conflict resolution, and identity politics. His recent work delves into the challenges faced by Afghanistan’s youth in navigating the intersection of tradition and modernity.
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