However, Marsden must also remain objective and realistic in his account of Western society. On page 100 the author notes, "It is also important to recognize that western society is no more homogenous than Afghan society." The heterogeneity of the international community and of the Afghan community make Marsden's job more difficult. The author avoids sweeping generalizations about Western and Afghan societies but Marsden does not shy away from necessary summaries of different ideological and theoretical perspectives.

For example, Marsden points especially to the philosophy of individualism present more in Western than Eastern societies as an example of the differences between Afghan and, say, American or European cultural norms. Marsden also refers to the subsequent difficulties in forging communications between humanitarian organizations and the Taliban. Many of these organizations come equipped and willing to help out the Afghan people but inevitably bring with them cultural value systems that cloud objective...
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