International Development Academia Failed Afghanistan? (Thought Experiment)

[GradSchoolGrad]

I am going put a controversial thought experiment out there. One of the key reasons for the current state of Afghanistan is because International Development (IDEV) academia trained its students to focus too much on the technical aspects of financial investments and measurable short-term outcomes rather than the art of of political messaging, cultural/ethnic dynamics, and governance with sustainable and more powerful impact. 

The illustrate this (speaking in a hypothetical example). IDEV calls success when clinic is built when $50K clinic is built to serve 150 locals a month. However, what really matters but what IDEV doesn't focus on is what is more important:

- Do the locals have greater support for local government for the improvement

- Was good governance supported by the building and operating of the clinic

- How long will the clinic last without external support

- Does the clinic meaningfully connect with improve the security of the community?

Thoughts? 

Edited August 20, 2021 by GradSchoolGrad