War. We are all too familiar with war. The United States has been continually engaged in conflict somewhere in the world for more than two decades, with no end in sight. Daily decisions are made that affect our nation, its position in world affairs, and the futures of our children. In spite of the importance of these stakeholders, it often seems we have little understanding of the context and impact of these serious choices. Now, as President Obama is confronted with keeping his campaign promises to refocus on Afghanistan and withdraw from Iraq, how do we evaluate his performance? What has been the impact of the war in Afghanistan and what will it continue to be on business, government, and society at home and more importantly in Afghanistan?
Historically, Afghanistan has been sporadically at war for nearly two centuries with various European and Eurasian interests (primarily Britain, Russia, and Pakistan) beginning with the first Anglo-Afghan War in 1839. In the past four decades, Afghanistan has been roiled by nearly continual fighting, multiple regime changes, natural disasters, rending cultural shifts, and a burgeoning narcotics trade funding diverse warring factions. (www.afghan-web.com)
Still reeling from the terrorist attacks on the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the United States naively entered Afghanistan thirsty for bloody retribution facing an enemy it barely knew or understood. Fast forward to today, nearly eight years later. Sidetracked by a war in Iraq for so long that its initial gains in Afghanistan faltered, the United States faces a resurgent Taliban reinforced by extremists from all over the world.
On August 30, 2009 General Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. Commander in Afghanistan released his stark assessment that victory in Afghanistan was far from a sure thing. He stated, “Failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near term (next 12 months) – while Afghan security capacity matures – risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible (Washingtonpost.com).” It is in this grim context we consider the impacts of this particular war on our businesses, our government, and our society and look for a way forward.
Let us first examine the facet of Government since it is the primary policy driver for a war. Undoubtedly war is a heavily governmental function. Broad powers are granted by the Constitution to the Congress and particularly the President for the conduct of war (usconstitution.net). This places responsibility for wartime decision-making squarely on the shoulders of the executive and legislative branches of government (though one might allege duration of such conflicts seems to be dictated more by public sentiment than consistent policy). President Obama seems understandably reluctant to make a quick decision on the matter. Nevertheless, at some point in the immediate future, he will give direction to his administration on how to proceed. Whether it is an escalation of commitment or a reduction of force, the policy will have broad implications for business, government, and society here and abroad.
Let us consider for a moment some of the possible consequences. If the government pursues a policy of force reduction, it will risk international loss of face. It will increase the risk of resurgent terrorist groups and their infrastructures as threats to the Afghan people, the United States, and its allies. It may result in reductions to loss of American lives but will not necessarily result in a decrease in overall loss of life. It will be more likely to create a climate favorable to an increase in human rights violations and war crimes similar to those seen in the 1990s under the Taliban (www.afghan-web.com). It will rapidly reverse the gains in education and equality made on behalf of women and girls in the country. It will increase the success of the narcotics trade fueled by the opium poppy (www.fas.org). It will reduce the volume of international aid flowing into the country for the betterment of its people and devalue the billions of dollars invested in the country by NGOs, aid groups, and multinational corporations. This is only a limited summary of the likely impacts of a policy of force reduction.
On the other hand, if an escalation of commitment is approved by the Obama Administration, there is little doubt U.S. and allied casualties will increase and the fight will be long and difficult. International perception of the Obama administration will be impacted. And, while initial success may be experienced in focused battle, the protracted struggle against the insurgency will take place on much more fragile turf: the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.
Such a commitment will cost billions of dollars. However, such a commitment might also result in a better human rights climate for the nation, a stronger more equitable education system, reductions in the narcotics trade, and robust international business investment (and that’s the beginning). Such gains should result in long-term stability and the opportunity for prosperity in Afghanistan. Though such an outcome is uncertain, its possibility should make us seriously consider its advantages. In light of the pros and cons presented here, we can see that the repercussions of governmental policy will be broad and deep in Afghanistan as well as in the United States and abroad.
After we recognize the role of government, we should experience a realization of our role in society. As U.S. citizens, we have the responsibility to remain informed and aware in order to hold our government officials accountable for the decisions they make while at the same time possessing an understanding of the scope and difficulty of such decisions.
Additionally we have a rich and diverse cultural heritage that should not only enable us to empathize with the Afghan people but should also motivate us to help improve the lives of their people from a civil rights perspective. In our nation we have fought long and hard to achieve equitability among races, sexes, and social classes in education, suffrage, and employment (to name a few). While many would argue we have far to go, we certainly have raised the bar worldwide on what it means to live free. Afghanistan still faces the challenges of politics inseparable from religion, inequity between sexes, sub-par education, and complex multiculturalism with four major languages, 30 minor languages, and multiple dialects spoken within its own borders (indexmundi.com).
With a deep cultural understanding of what it means to achieve unity from diversity, we should champion the Afghan people who yearn for the same peace and prosperity we enjoy. Having kicked down the door of their nation in pursuit of our own international policies, it is the least we can do in return.
The actions of our nation should first be rooted in a firm societal belief in justice and equity. This should be exercised through concrete coherent governmental policy. However, this is not to say there is no profit potential to the United States. Nobility of action might very well result in profitability for business. Additionally through reciprocity, successful business often results in domestic success.
How is this possible? Market capitalism with all its flaws has resulted in a worldwide betterment of the standard of living for millions. Even from a governmental policy perspective, the strength of communist ideology in China seems to have been weakened by the pervasive influence of materialism and the system of free enterprise that feeds it. Though there are still “haves” and “have-nots” in the world today, the “have-nots” have far more than they otherwise would have. Our textbook stated, “Even as economic growth has widened the gap between rich and poor, it has dramatically reduced the proportion of the poor in the total population (Steiner, 24-25).”
With this in mind, I envision the positive possibilities before us for business in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan Investment Support Agency touts itself as “a fast growing emerging market of strategic importance close to some of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the world.” With strong markets for the expansion and modernization of infrastructure and telecommunications, reinvigoration of the harvesting of natural resources, and the availability of large quantities of relatively inexpensive labor, the potential for massive profits does exist. Though faced with many security challenges, businesses who survive in this climate remain poised for sustainable long-term profits.
This sounds like a greedy misappropriation of nobility and military power. It would be if it were not for the advances already made and those still to come in corporate social responsibility. As we have studied this term, business wields great power. If that power is used maliciously, it can be a vile thing indeed. However, if that power is harnessed for good, it may result in sweeping positive changes.
By exercising the seven levels of power in the seven environments of business, corporations may initiate and motivate sustainable positive change. Exercising economic and technological power in Afghanistan can mean providing infrastructural stability through the provision of electrical power, stable telecommunications, potable water, and consistently navigable roads. These foundational elements - once established - will enable better medical facilities and treatment, permanent schools, and the movement of goods and services more efficiently within and without the country.
As these sectors stabilize and grow, they will provide employment to the people which results in further stabilization. This comes not only from providing an occupation for idle hands but also from increasing money flow within local and national markets and generating revenue from taxes to support governmental services. As governmental services become more sophisticated, businesses may wield political and legal power to influence positive changes. These positive circumstances may perpetuate over time.
Businesses can increase the chances of success by exercising environmental power, cultural power, and power over individuals through corporate social responsibility. They do this by encouraging technological and professional advances ethically and in an environmentally safe manner. If in the course of providing employment they teach ethics, professionalism, and efficiency, these become intangible local exports to the society in which they function. Along with these “intangibles” may come better physical and mental health and more opportunities for individual peace and happiness. Overall, they may translate into a better way of life for the entire community.
In conclusion we see that our government will set the course for our national and international policies. Within the framework of those policies, businesses may be encouraged to seek profits in the emerging markets of Afghanistan. If they are so motivated, businesses will serve an integral role in the stabilization of a war weary nation. Through their policies and procedures as they implement their individual strategies to achieve profit, these same businesses may wield their seven powers for the good of their business and the good of the Afghan people.
As U.S. citizens it will be our societal responsibility to hold our government and businesses accountable for their actions and policies to ensure that both the government and the corporations exercise their corporate social responsibilities in a consistent manner. If we do this successfully, we may rescue what otherwise might have been a lost cause and someday see the end in sight.
1. http://www.afghan-web.com/history/chron/index4.html 20091003
2. http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/Assessment_Redacted_092109.pdf
20091003
3. http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html 20091003
4. http://www.afghan-web.com/history/chron/index4.html 20091003
5. http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL32686.pdf 20091003
6. http://www.indexmundi.com/afghanistan/demographics_profile.html 20091003
7. Steiner, John F. & George A., Business, Government, and Society: A Managerial Perspective, 2009
8. http://www.aisa.org.af/ 20091003
1 comment:
Nice to see you posting again Rick!
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