Democratic Political Development in Reference to Ethiopia

Abstract

We in the post-Cold War era and at the threshold of the twenty-first century, an era characterized, among other things, by a widespread democratization drive. Sub-Saharan Africa with its multiethnic societies and underdeveloped economy too has entered the race for democracy. Ethiopia, our country, is alsc said to have begun the process. The aim of this study is to contribute to the ongoing effort to conduct an in-depth investigation of the ongoing democratization movement in sub-Saharan Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular. This study first concerns itself with the theoretical aspect. Theories, in simple terms, are reasoned ideas that explain and help us to grasp and conceptualize reality, facts, or events as they occur. Theories guide both the understanding and constructing of reality. This brief study, therefore, has primarily a theoretical purpose with further empirical use, for it tries to invigorate debate on and call attention to serious research needs on the matter. The study has developed in three parts. In the first part different political theories reviewed as they relate to developing societies, and how they speak to democratization of these regions is summarized. In the second part the meaning and varying conception of democracy and its relation to some relevant issues discussed; and then the concept of democratic political development and its factors presented. In the third part, utilizing the factors proposed, a brief review of Ethiopian politics is made and the prospects for democratization assessed.