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Full-Text Articles in Africana Studies
Cover, Title Page, Table Of Contents, Introduction, Messay Kebede
Cover, Title Page, Table Of Contents, Introduction, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
This book examines and theoretically articulates the various facets and crucial phases of Ethiopia’s encounter with the modern world and the challenges its efforts to modernize faced during the course of three consecutive yet highly divergent political regimes. These phases roughly correspond to Haile Selassie’s and post-Haile Selassie’s Ethiopia, with the post-period spreading over two milestones, namely, the revolutionary shift of the Provisional Military Administrative Council (the Derg) and the no less critical reshaping of the Ethiopian political system by an ethnonationalist agenda subsequent to the Tigray People's Liberation Front’s (TPLF) seizure of state power. Despite their drastic differences, a …
Chapter I — On Theories Of Modernization, Messay Kebede
Chapter I — On Theories Of Modernization, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
The vast literature pertaining to development and modernity discloses philosophical questions that instigate the controversies dividing the various theories of modernization. Of these philosophical issues, the most crucial and recurrent is the question of the prime factor or mover of modernization. The reason for the philosophical issue of primacy derives from the fact that modernization involves cultural as well as socioeconomic changes. Following the philosophical distinction between the spiritual and the material, the clash between the two basic schools of idealism and materialism frames the philosophical approach around the question of knowing whether the prime cause of modernization is cultural …
Chapter Ii — Survey Of Ethiopia’S Survival: Definition And Controversies, Messay Kebede
Chapter Ii — Survey Of Ethiopia’S Survival: Definition And Controversies, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
The last chapter has unraveled the close link between modernization and the emergence of a survival ethos among ruling elites of traditional societies in transition. To approach the case of Ethiopia’s modernization from the same angle of explanation, it is necessary first to make sure that some groups among Ethiopian ruling elites had shown a propensity that could be defined as a salvational will. Sure enough, any ruling elite wants to protect the social order that benefits it. However, the salvational will, as defined in the previous chapter, is less the desire to perpetuate the status quo than the will …
Chapter Iii — The Ethiopian Forces Of Survival, Messay Kebede
Chapter Iii — The Ethiopian Forces Of Survival, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
To account for the protracted endurance of Ethiopia, the last chapter hinted at two requisites, namely, a system of power suited for defense and the sense of shouldering a mandate. Such a successful record, in addition to presupposing a robust and effective ability for self-defense, necessitates a leadership that feels entrusted with a mission. From a cursory examination of Ethiopian history, one can confidently surmise that, at least until the overthrow of the last emperor, Ethiopia survived for so long thanks to a system of power that was protective of survival and bearer of a mission. The system rested on …
Chapter Iv — Eurocentric Versus Ethio-Centric Approaches To Ethiopia’S Modernization Lag: The Concept Of Derailment, Messay Kebede
Chapter Iv — Eurocentric Versus Ethio-Centric Approaches To Ethiopia’S Modernization Lag: The Concept Of Derailment, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
After studying the link between survival and modernization, the next logical step is to provide concrete answers to the question of why Ethiopia’s impressive record of survival failed to initiate a successful process of modernization. In fact, the greater the resolution to survive, the more determined should have been the drive toward modernization. Yet, not only is Ethiopia still ranked among the poorest countries, but it is also entangled in numerous internal conflicts, the primary consequence of which is an unending political instability threatening its very existence. However, before delving into the reasons for the Ethiopian failure to modernize, we …
Chapter V — Derailed Modernization: The Imperial Phase, Messay Kebede
Chapter V — Derailed Modernization: The Imperial Phase, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
The critical review of the explanation of the failure of Ethiopian modernization from the perspective of modernization theory, that is, from the alleged contrast between tradition and modernity, has revealed that the concept of derailed modernization is more appropriate than the argument stating that inherent defects prevented Ethiopia’s modernization. The expression “derailed” puts the blame not so much on inner obstacles as on the spoiling of assets and opportunities. The change of approach speaks of engagement into a wandering path, the outcome of which was and still is the multiplication of difficulties. Indeed, obstacles hinder, but they can also be …
Chapter Vi —The Radicalization Of Ethiopian Students, Messay Kebede
Chapter Vi —The Radicalization Of Ethiopian Students, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
When one analyzes the Ethiopian Revolution of 1974, the aspect that needs to be primarily explained is not so much the uprising against the imperial regime as its precipitous shift toward socialist demands and slogans. Many unsolved problems liable to provoke widespread discontents saddled the regime. None of them, however, required or invited a socialist revolution per se. The decisive impulse toward a socialist revolution came undoubtedly from the Ethiopian student movement. Accordingly, any inquiry about the revolution must begin by unraveling the reasons that brought about the radicalization of a great majority of Ethiopian students and intellectuals. A compelling …
Chapter Vii — The Overthrow Of The Imperial Regime, Messay Kebede
Chapter Vii — The Overthrow Of The Imperial Regime, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
In distinction to the tendency of imputing the delay of Ethiopian modernization to the lack of social peace, which was used as a pretext to institute and justify imperial absolutism, the radicalization of students, in line with the unadulterated principle “modernity versus tradition, blamed the presence of traditional features, notably the impeding role of the “feudal” class, the anachronism of the imperial state, and the obscurantist influence of the church, for the general failure of Ethiopian modernization. The students’ standpoint assumed the ideological leadership of the social protests and spread the conviction that Marxist-Leninist socialism is the only remedy to …
Chapter Viii — Derailed Modernization: The Derg’S Phase, Messay Kebede
Chapter Viii — Derailed Modernization: The Derg’S Phase, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
The cultural trait making higher social positions into contested temporary occupations (see Chapter III on idil) should have found, in the modernization process of evicting outdated, anti-modern occupants, an even better opportunity to vent itself. In the traditional system, power struggles opposed ambitious individuals who shared common values and a mutual understanding of social life. The struggle did not go beyond the act of changing places in a fixed social framework. However, as a result of the impact of exogenous modern ideas, the struggle shifted to a confrontation between elites with different ideologies and social programs. These elites want to …
Chapter Ix — Derailed Modernization: The Ethnonationalist Phase, Messay Kebede
Chapter Ix — Derailed Modernization: The Ethnonationalist Phase, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
The last chapter concluded with the generalized expectation that the fall of the Derg would set in motion some form of democratization dismantling the wide-ranging restrictions of the existing socialist system, even if there was uncertainty about the real political program of the victorious Tigrean insurgents. Despite promises of democratization, it did not take long for people to realize that Ethiopia was heading for yet another version of hegemonic rule, this one replacing the class ideology of the previous regime with ethnonationalism. As though a curse were on it, Ethiopia’s modernization will once more stumble over an ideology and a …
Chapter X — Where To, Ethiopia?, Messay Kebede
Chapter X — Where To, Ethiopia?, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
In the wake of the dethronement of the TPLF, Ethiopia was presented with four options arising from the implementation of ethnonationalist ideology and policies for 27 years. The options have generated politico-ideological movements that compete for the seizure of power in Ethiopia. Broadly speaking, these movements can be viewed as different stands in relation to Article 39 of the constitution granting ethnic groups an unconditional right to self-determination, including secession (see previous chapter). Let us briefly examine the four positions with the view of clearly demarcating the lines separating them.
Chapter Xi — Recapitulation And Therapeutic Roadmap, Messay Kebede
Chapter Xi — Recapitulation And Therapeutic Roadmap, Messay Kebede
Ethiopian Modernization: Opportunities and Derailments
This book revolved around a central theme, which is to show how the imperative to hold on to absolute power derailed the modernization of Ethiopia under three consecutive but radically different political regimes, the irony being that each came to power on the promise of removing the defects of the regime that preceded it. Its main argument can be summed up thus: from Haile Selassie’s imperial state, military socialism, to the two versions of ethnic federalism, the framing of modernization in an exclusionary political system and the attendant excluding forms of ideological thinking are responsible in large measure for the …