More then five years have passed since the beginning of the internationally led reconstruction of the Afghan state. The reconstruction of working democratic institutions and an efficient administration in order to extend the influence of the state over the whole territory was the initial objective of the intervention. This study of the Reconstruction National Integrity System (RNIS) analyses the interactions between a selected group of Afghan institutions that enable an environment in which corruption might be contained. These state institutions interact in order to warranty integrity within the state and form the integrity pillars. In order to

evaluate the efficiency of each pillar, a review of the existing contrasts between the laws and regulations in use for each of the pillars’ actions and the reality of their application has been undertaken. Particular attention was given to the evaluation of donors’ actions, sequencing and prioritization in the reconstruction of the state’s integrity pillars.

The analysis of the RNIS shed light on the following insufficiencies and consequent threat to cohesion of the National Integrity System.

The National Integrity System (NIS) approach was developed by Jeremy Pope to understand the weaknesses of state institutions and the failings of previous reform initiatives by asking about corruption from a number of perspectives: the causes of corruption; the relationships of the Executive to other state institutions; key areas where corruption occurs or where democratisation is constrained; those institutions or areas with a role to play in promoting reform and democratisation, and for dealing with corruption; progress with government strategy and donor anti-corruption initiatives; and the relative strengths and weaknesses of these institutions or areas on an individual and collective basis to ensure their own capacity to be free from corruption (‘corruption-proofing’) as well as to promote a more integrated approach to dealing with corruption.

The Reconstruction NIS (RNIS) takes the approach further by using it to assess post-conflict countries as they rebuild the state and move toward democratization. The RNIS provides a framework through which to assess the impact and legacies of conflict, the multiple political and institutional issues, and the role of donors, not only generally in terms of reconstruction, anti-corruption development, and priorities but also in terms of the often complex and continuing issues of power, corruption and democratization. This approach requires discussions of the steps taken by institutions and key areas – usually the executive; legislature; elections/political party funding; audit; judiciary; civil service; police and prosecutors; public procurement; ombudsman; investigative/watchdog agencies; media; civil society; regional and local government - to prevent corruption as well as information on the effectiveness of such steps and the relations between institutions, and on issues such as political penetration of institutions, legacies from previous regimes, the role of donors in supporting and cooperating on the reform process in general and anti-corruption in particular, and the politicization of donor-friendly reforms such as decentralisation and democratisation.