Ethiopia: The Challenge of Democracy from Below

by Bahru Zewde (Editor), Siegfried Pausewang (Editor)

Overview

Democracy is a concept reflecting European philosophies, struggles and concerns. Many Ethiopian ethnic groups have traditions which may offer more satisfactory and culturally acceptable foundations for a “sovereignty of the people” through time-honored ways of voicing political ideas, ironic observations and vital interests. In line with modern urban life Ethiopians also organize and express their interests in non-governmental organizations, the independent press and advocacy groups representing political and social alternatives. The contributors to this book analyze the democratic potential of these movements and practices, their ability to give a voice to the view from below and their potential contribution to a more genuine participation by the majority of Ethiopians in democratic decision making and bringing the sovereignty of the people a step closer to reality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789171065018
Publisher:	Nordic Africa Institute, The
Publication date:	02/28/2002
Pages:	215
Product dimensions:	6.52(w) x 9.56(h) x 0.54(d)

About the Author

Bahru Zewde is professor of history at the University of Addis Ababa, specialising in modern Ethiopian history and intellectual history.

Siegfried Pausewang is a rural sociologist and a senior research fellow at the Chr. Michelsen Institute for Development and Human Rights in Bergen, Norway.

Table of Contents

Preface; A Note on Ethiopian Words and Names; Introduction—Bahru Zewde; I. TRADITIONAL SYSTEMS OF GOVERNANCE: Systems of Local Governance among the Gurage: The Yajoka Qicha and the Gordana Sera—Bahru Zewde; Sera: Traditionalism or Living Democratic Values? Case Study among the Sidama in Southern Ethiopia—Øyvind Aadland; Seera: A Traditional Institution of Kambata—Yacob Arsano; II. THE PEASANT AND THE MANAGEMENT OF POWER AND RESOURCES: Models of Democracy—Perceptions of Power. Government and Peasantry in Ethiopia—Harald Aspen; Peasant Participation in Land Reform. The Amhara Land Redistribution of 1997—Svein Ege; No Environmental Protection without Local Democracy? Why Peasants Distrust Their Agricultural Advisers—Siegfried Pausewang; III. ALTERNATIVE LOCI OF POWER: Civil Society Organizations in Ethiopia—Dessalegn Rahmato; The Role of NGOs in Protecting Democratic Values; The Ethiopian Experience—Kassahun Berhanu; Decentralization in Ethiopia: Two Case Studies on Devolution of Power and Responsibilities to Local Authorities—Mehret Ayenew; IV. ALTERNATIVE VOICES: Mengistulore: Oral literatures depicting the Man, His Regime, Officials and Proclamations—Fekade Azeze; Democratisation and Gender—Original Wolde Giorgis; The State of the Press in Ethiopia—Shimelis Bonsa; References; Contributors.