How fundamentalists rule a country. Traditionalism and modernity in the Taliban’s rule
How fundamentalists rule a country. Traditionalism and modernity in the Taliban’s rule

Summary/Abstract: Marty & Appleby in their seminal Fundamentalisms Observed defined blend of traditionalism and modernity as one of the principal features of pure fundamentalist movement. Taliban offers a unique opportunity to compare this theoretical view with reality. In fact, Taliban’s rule reflect many traditional features – traditionalist social background of wider leadership with some religious schooling, traditional power structure of shuras and leadership by a charismatic leader, emphasis on traditional religious values and creating thus a boundary ‘we – them’. Yet many features were modern – use of ministries, institutionalization of the leader’s position, use of novel means of repression and propaganda. Their legal system, albeit based on religious law, was inherently modern and the same can be said about the external relations. All in all it can be said that in the mixture of modernity and traditionalism in the rule of the Taliban, the modernity has won in this “anti-modern” movement.

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