Hi I'm writing a research proposal and I'm not sure if my thesis is specific enough or needs improvement.

Thesis: Currently in Afghanistan, the lack of an effective method of regulation of the production of the opium poppy continues to obstruct Afghanistan's government from running a stable and secured democratic country.

This statement is more of a history of the problem than a statement of what you think needs to be done.

The thesis needs to say that the Afgan govt. needs to do this and this and this in order to provide a stable democratic government.

So far, attempts to control the growth of opium poppies in Afghanistan has contributed to instability. Only a small fraction of the fields have been destroyed, and corruption and political bickering among coalition partners determine which fields get destroyed. Most people are strongly opposed to such measures, and the Taliban is regaining control by supporting the opium growers. Large portions of the country are back under its control.

There was an excellent article on the subject in The New Yorker about four months ago. I will see if I can find a reference.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/07/09/070709fa_fact_anderson

I highly recommend it for good background material on this subject, by a reporter who followed the Opium Eradication Force last year.

I'm having trouble with a specific problems to write about.

I was thinking about writing about the Opium Bride problem due to the cultivation of opium poppies. From the article, the problem seems to be eradication leads to a rise in Taliban support.

I am not familiar with the Opium Bride probem, but it appears you got the same message from the New Yorker article that I did.

Your thesis statement is a good starting point, but it could be strengthened by making it more specific and focused. Here's a suggestion for an improved thesis statement:

"Due to a lack of effective regulation in the production and trade of opium poppy in Afghanistan, the government's ability to establish a stable and secure democratic state is hindered, as illicit cultivation fuels corruption, funds terrorist organizations, and undermines the rule of law."

To evaluate the adequacy of your thesis, you can follow these steps:

1. Identify the main topic: Afghanistan's challenges related to the production of opium poppy.
2. Evaluate the specificity: Ensure that your thesis is specific and clearly conveys the main argument of your research proposal.
3. Check for an arguable claim: Your thesis should present a debatable point that can be supported by evidence and analysis.
4. Assess the significance: Consider the broader implications and importance of your research topic.

By following these steps, you can refine your thesis statement to effectively convey your research topic and argument.