Traditional Political System

Abstract

For centuries the significant code of politics in Afghanistan was the principle of jirga (tribal or communal council) through which the members of a particular community or tribe could solve their problems. Jirga usually was conducted on a regular basis after the Friday prayers in towns and villages. On the national level, a jirga was called when there was an emergency situation or when the central government needed to make a crucial decision such as whether to enter into a war or with regard to the formation of the constitution. The national jirga, which was called the Loya Jirga (national assembly or great council), was comprised of local, regional, and national figures such as tribal chiefs and popular local and national individuals.