Developmental State in Ethiopia: Myth or Practical?

Abstract

Ethiopia has endowed with the vast natural resources and deposits of raw minerals. But the country did not achieve the desired economic development of the nation in the past for many years. The key factors for the underdevelopment of the country were believed to be due to poor quality of leadership and the nature of the regime that did not move forward in a proper manner. Thus, after the military government removed from power in 1991, the developmental state that coupled national Renaissance and democratic federalism came into realization under Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) leadership, so as to transition from a predatory and quasi-failed state to a protective and developmental state. Following this ideology, Ethiopia has witnessed the social and economic progress comparing from the past. But, currently one fifth of its population is stil below poverty. Hence, this study strikes to explore, why a developmental state ideology has not achieved the desired goals of Ethiopia. It also examines the challenges and resolutions to meet the visions of future Ethiopia.

Keywords:Developmental State; Democratic Federalism; Poverty;  State led Development; Economic Transformation  and Ethiopia

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-3-03

Publication date: February 29^th 2020