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Ethiopia: the challenge of democracy from below
University of Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Nordic Africa Institute. Chr. Michelsen Institute for Development and Human Rights, Bergen, Norway.
2002 (English)Collection (editor) (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Constitutionally Ethiopia is a federal democratic state although in practice it is dominated by one political coalition. The opposition parties claim they have no chance of challenging the incumbent. The rural majority, as ever, feel controlled from above, unable to influence political decisions. Observers describe elections as manipulated and non-representative of the will of the people for whom the word "democracy" frequently appears to be synonymous with domination and coercion. Democracy is a concept reflecting European philosophies, struggles and concerns. Many Ethiopian ethnic groups have traditions which may offer more satisfactory and culturally acceptable foundations for a "sovereignty of the people" through time-honoured ways of voicing political ideas, ironic observations and vital interests. In line with modern urban life Ethiopians also organise and express their interests in non-governmental organisations, the independent press and advocacy groups representing political and social alternatives. The contributors to this book analyse the democratic potential of these movements and practices, their ability to give a voice to the view from below and their potential contribution to a more genuine participation by the majority of Ethiopians in democratic decision making and bringing the sovereignty of the people a step closer to reality.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Uppsala ; Addis Ababa: Nordiska Afrikainstitutet; Forum for Social Studies , 2002. , p. 213
Keywords [en]
Democratisation, Governance, Local government, Traditional authority, Peasantry, Land reform, Political power, Ethiopia
National Category
Political Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:nai:diva-190ISBN: 9171065016 (print)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:nai-190DiVA, id: diva2:242112
Note

Preface -- A Note on Ethiopian Words and Name -- Introduction / Bahru Zewde -- I. Traditional Systems of Governance -- Systems of Local Governance among the Gurage: The Yajoka Qicha and the Gordana Sera / Bahru Zewde -- Sera: Traditionalism or Living Democratic Values? Case Study among the Sidama in Southern Ethiopia / Øyvind Aadland -- Seera: A Traditional Institution of Kambata / Yacob Arsano - II. The Peasant and the Management of Power and Resources -- Models of Democracy—Perceptions of Power. Government and Peasantry in Ethiopia / Harald Aspen -- Peasant Participation in Land Reform. The Amhara Land Redistribution of 1997 / Svein Ege -- No Environmental Protection without Local Democracy? Why Peasants Distrust Their Agricultural Advisers / Siegfried Pausewang -- III. Alternative Loci of Power -- Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia / Dessalegn Rahmato -- The Role of NGOs in Protecting Democratic Values. The Ethiopian Experience / Kassahun Berhanu -- Decentralization in Ethiopia: Two Case Studies on Devolution of Power and Responsibilities to Local Authorities / Mehret Ayenew -- IV. Alternative Voices -- Mengistulore: Oral literatures depicting the Man, His Regime, Officials and Proclamations / Fekade Azeze -- Democratisation and Gender / Original Wolde Giorgis -- The State of the Press in Ethiopia / Shimelis Bonsa -- References

Available from: 2009-10-07 Created: 2009-10-02 Last updated: 2024-11-11Bibliographically approved

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