ABSTRACT
Since 2001, Afghanistan has begun to rebuild its institutions, revive its economy, reform its administration, and extend control to the rest of the country beyond the capital city of Kabul. Despite more than six years of significant international aid, 10 the country continues to struggle with severe insecurity. Poverty remains a serious problem. According to a 2007 household survey, 42 per cent of the people live below the poverty line. Additionally, the country is faced with the challenge of a booming narcotics industry. Corruption is rampant, and many public services are not available to people unless they have personal networks or are willing to pay bribes. The government administration remains ineffective, and has difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled professionals with management and administrative experience. Admittedly, it is currently making efforts to change this through administration reforms. However, the establishment of a true merit-based recruitment process, and the elimination of patronage and kinship from recruitment practices, still have a long way to go, thus hindering human development.
