Melbourne Law School - Theses
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ItemEthnic federalism in Ethiopia : a case study( 2001)Ethno-territorial self-identification is the salient feature of sub-Saharan African societies. Yet, the organization of state power in these societies has been predicated upon the assumption that resort to a centralised unitary system of government is essential for unity and development. In doing so it has disregarded and suppressed the diversities permeating the societies. This has generated the political mobilisation of ethnic communities, giving rise not only to conflicts organised and waged along ethnic lines but also to the decomposition or near decomposition of states in Africa. My thesis is grounded in the federal idea that unless the issue of ethnicity is confronted by resorting to institutional mechanisms that ensure equality and political space for ethnic communities while facilitating co-operation and compromise among them, peace and stability will continue to be elusive. The main focus of my thesis is my own country, Ethiopia, which is the only African country that confronts directly the challenges of ethnic diversity by adopting a federal system organised on the basis of the recognition and institutionalisation of the right of ethno-territorial communities to self-determination. The examination of Ethiopia's experience may be of considerable relevance for many African countries and generates significant insights into the potential as well as the problems of reconstituting state power by adopting a federal system organised along the lines of ethno-territorial communities. Although Ethiopia's experiment with ethnic federalism is a crucial institutional means for ensuring ethnic self-autonomy and inter-ethnic shared rule, I will argue that its viability and success hinges upon its dissociation from the Westminster style democracy with which it is currently linked and on the extent to which it advances power-sharing democracy.