| This thesis takes into comparison two strongmen-led organizations of Afghanistan: Junbesh in Balkh and the Taliban in Kandahar and provides an examination of their organization, structure and services provided in order to ascertain their level of effectiveness in permeating vital aspects of society, such as providing law and order, treatment of women, education, and taxation. These two case studies were chosen to both highlight the importance of two arguably successful strongmen-led organizations, and to provide a historical glance into two areas that are of the most secure (Balkh province) and most insecure (Kandahar province) today. Using secondary sources and examining the years between 1988 through 2001, the paper concludes that Junbesh provided more services and stability to the population than the Taliban, which may prompt further research into the effect these organizations have on stability today. |
