Introduction:The Challenge of Building Democratic Institutions of Governance for Development in Ethiopia Sisay Asefa This issue of Northeast African Studies (NEAS) presents eight articles on the various dimensions of development and governance in Ethiopia. Most of the articles were selected from papers contributed to the International Conference on Ethiopian Development Issues (ICEDS), which convened at Western Michigan University (WMU) in Kalamazoo, Michigan, 16–18 August 2001. The volume also includes articles selected from papers contributed to two other ICEDS conferences, 11–12 July 2003, and 18–19 July 2005, which convened in Ethiopia. This is the first of a two-part series of articles on the various dimensions of the challenges of building democratic institutions for development, focused on Ethiopia, selected for publication by Northeast African Studies, a social science journal published by Michigan State University (MSU) Press. Most of the articles were selected by the guest editor and the late Dr. Harold Marcus, distinguished university professor of African history at MSU, before he passed away in 2003. While the articles speak for themselves, the aim of this introduction is to provide summary highlights of each paper and conclude with some remarks on the policy implications that arise from the issues related to building the democratic institutions of governance necessary for sustainable development in Ethiopia. [End Page 1] A Brief Summary The first essay, by Paul B. Henze, explores the question of whether there are lessons from Turkey's experience in modern economic growth that are applicable to the development of Ethiopia. In comparing Turkey and Ethiopia, Henze finds that similar problems were faced historically by both countries. We are reminded that some of the elements of Turkey's successful transformation from a backward state in the 1920s into one of the most dynamic societies and economies today may be elements that Ethiopia can hope to adopt during the twenty-first century. In discussing how Turkey managed to transform itself in a little over half a century, Henze finds some similarities between the two countries. Both countries have a complex geography and a lack of mineral wealth and oil. Both countries went through a turbulent period of political turmoil and strife. Both have hostile neighbors, both carry a heavy burden of history, which contributes to social conflicts, and neither has ever been effectively colonized or conquered by foreign powers. The two countries had about the same level of population of about 12 million, mostly illiterate, in 1923, and both economies were subsistence economies based on peasant agriculture. But Turkey was fortunate enough to be governed by a benevolent and visionary monarch who made credible political and economic reforms and turned the country toward an open and modern economy by investing in education, rural infrastructure (such as electricity and clean water), and agroindustry and irrigation. Ethiopia also evolved under an absolute monarchy until 1974, but failed to achieve the necessary institutional transformation and reform leading toward a successful modern economy and democratic polity, due to a lack of enlightened leadership and responsible government and also to conflict among political elites. Henze points out that while Ethiopia cannot duplicate all of Turkey's historic experience in development, it can take useful lessons from Turkey as well as from its own history of mistakes and achievements. According to Henze, some of the key factors that helped Turkey succeed and that may be relevant for the future development of Ethiopia are as follows: (1) the value of an open and free democratic political and economic system necessary for successful and sustainable development; (2) [End Page 2] an improved quality of education at all levels including rapid expansion of private and public education, as well as higher education; (3) massive investment in infrastructure such as highways, rural feeder roads, and communication facilities of all types; (4) significant investment in agriculture and agroindustry as the basis for broader industrial development and for raising the rural productivity and standard of living of the large rural population; (5) massive investment in and exploitation of water resources for power and irrigation; and (6) private and public investment in tourism, in which the country has a comparative advantage in areas such as climate, colorful history, and rich culture, including...
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Nov 1, 2023
Kasu Hailu 
Open Access
