Maiwand Safi, Khair Mohammad Momand, Wolas Safi
South Asian University, Tabesh University
This paper explores the dynamics of international relations beyond the Western paradigm, emphasizing a global perspective. It contends that the Western world has exerted significant influence over the field of international relations. It is frequently referred to as 'An American Social Science.' Nevertheless, scholarships, voices, discourse, and narratives are arising from the non-Western World (Global South) in opposition to the dominance and hegemony of the West within the discipline. This paper underscores the persistent neglect within IR scholarship to center non-Western thought, experiences, and contributions, resulting in the sidelining and marginalization of scholarship from the global south. Similarly, this paper illuminates the constraints and limitations of predominant international relations theories in the context of the non-Western world and Afghanistan. Afghanistan serves as a notable illustration of the prevalence of Western theories in international relations, resulting in the application of frameworks that engage with Afghanistan through a geopolitical lens while sidelining indigenous knowledge(s) and perspectives. Afghanistan stands as one of the most ancient civilizations endowed with the potential to enhance international relations theory (IRT). Therefore, within this framework, this scholarship argues that the ‘Loya Jirga’—a time-honored method for resolving disputes among traditional communities—can significantly contribute to the advancement of an inclusive international relations theory, aiming not to supplant the existing paradigms but to enhance them. This paper emphasizes that for international relations to evolve into a truly universal and inclusive discipline, it must accommodate non-Western perspectives, particularly those originating from Afghanistan. It further offers recommendations to Afghan scholars and the IRT community on enhancing the prominence of Afghan knowledge(s) within the realm of IRT.
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