This report focuses on the political history of Afghanistan, the main issues and lessons in building viable, democratic state systems, lessons from international case studies on decentralization and nation building, and their applicability to post-2001 Afghanistan. Recommendations focus on best practices in designing effective electoral systems and dealing with Afghanistan’s unique regional power centers, warlords, ethnic groups, and traditional Afghan society. The recommendations are a product of discussions held during a March 2003 colloquium sponsored by the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination, “Stability and Viability in Afghanistan: Building A Viable And Effective Afghan State,” held in Triesenberg, Liechtenstein.