Key Concepts
The ongoing maintenance of social structures, values, and traditions over time.
Cotninuity
This theory sees change as slow and evolutionary over time.
Evolutionary theory
A research method involving interviews, surveys, or experiments.
Primary research
A process of adopting global elements into local culture.
Globalisation
A traditional value that continues to influence Afghan society today.
Honour or family loyalty
The process that results in alteration or transformation in society or culture.
Change
This theory believes change comes from conflict between competing interests.
Conflict theory
This method involves the analysis of books, articles, or pre-existing data.
Secondary research
A form of change that is dramatic and widespread.
Transformative change
A group that has experienced significant exclusion in some regions of Afghanistan.
Women, or ethnic minorities (such as Hazaras)
The concept referring to shared beliefs, norms, and ways of life in a society.
Culture
This theory sees society as made of interrelated parts working together to maintain stability.
Functionalist theory
A group-based method where participants discuss ideas in a guided conversation.
Focus group
This type of change occurs gradually over time, like shifts in attitudes.
Evolutionary change
A significant continuity in Afghan society despite decades of conflict.
Islamic faith and practice
This concept refers to the rights and responsibilities associated with decision-making and the legitimate use of power in a society.
Authority
This theory focuses on interactions between individuals and the meanings they attach to situations.
Interactionist theory
Research that uses measurable, numerical data.
Quantitative research
Change and continuity are often influenced by this key force relating to influence or control.
Power
A key way the Taliban has exerted control and maintained power since 2021.
Sharia law and media censorship
This process involves adopting aspects of Western culture into a non-Western society.
Westernisation
This is the term for resistance to adopting new ideas or changes in society.
Resistance to change
This research type investigates values, experiences, and meanings in depth.
Qualitative research
These aspects of society may remain constant across generations.
Beliefs, values or traditions
The social theory that best explains the ongoing cycles of power struggles and regime changes in Afghanistan.
Conflict theory