Not much is understood about the landlocked country that is Afghanistan, only that it is a nation constantly caught up in armed conflict.
University professor Ehsan Entezar brings with him a better discernment of Afghanistan by linking its cultural heritage to its present situation in the Xlibris release, Afghanistan 101.
In Afghanistan 101, Dr. Entezar thoroughly discusses cultural dimensions like Power Distance (PD), Uncertainty Avoidance (UA), Individualism (IND), and Masculinity (MAS) in the Afghan national culture, and how these particular concepts have hindered true progress in the said nation.
Power Distance, as explained by Dr. Entezar, involves the coercive use of power in decision-making among Afghan leaders. He stresses that it is the “authority of the person rather than the authority of position or rule that counts most.”
Uncertainty Avoidance, meanwhile, deals with instilling fear, and using religion as a buffer to reduce fear and uncertainty. This concept, according to Dr. Entezar, has given rise to the formation and eventual strengthening of Islam fundamentalist groups like the Taliban.
Individualism, Dr. Entezar states, marks the “relationship of an individual to a collectivity.”
Masculinity, as stated in Afghanistan 101, focuses on the patriarchal nature of Afghan society wherein the gender gap is well-defined and stereotypical roles of men and women are underscored.
All these cultural dimensions, according to Dr. Entezar, are still well-entrenched in Afghan society. In the book, he further discusses the different ethnic groups in Afghanistan and their respective leanings. His insights are products of well-conducted research into Afghan culture and history.
Afghanistan 101 promises to be a mind-opening read for academic scholars, makers of foreign policy, and even those who wish to add new information into their treasure trove of ideas. This is the real Afghanistan unmasked and revealed like never before.
About the Author
Dr. Ehsan Entezar is a true man of the academe, having received his doctorate degree from the University of Texas in Austin. He began his academic career at the Kabul University, and from there he has taught in several other universities in the Middle East and in the US. He also gave lectures on Afghan culture to coalition forces and ISAF in Kabul. He has done extensive research on Afghan culture, and in fact, has published articles in applied linguistics and Afghan culture. He wrote the first Dari textbook for the US Peace Corps in 1964.
For more information about Afghanistan 101, as well as other books published by Xlibris, visit Xlibris.com, e-mail us at pressrelease@
