Hegemonic Party System and Federalism The Case of the Ethiopian Federal System under the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF)
Main Article Content
Keywords
Dominant-party, centralism, state-party fusion, federalism and federal operation
Abstract
The paper inquiries into the fixture of the hegemonic Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF) in the operation of the Ethiopian federal constitutional order. It finds out the federal malfunction of EPRDF. The hegemonic political program of the front, which took the shape of a non-competitive dominant party was not in line with the constitutional diversity of the federal system, as it delinked the constitutional right to self-determination and federal autonomy from the options of multiparty politics. On the structure of EPRDF, equal representation was favorable to the federal politics of diversity accommodation and minority protection. However, the exclusiveness of its structure from the “affiliate” parties had the effects of a narrow-based federal shared-rule, as EPRDF which was the only channel to influence the center. Party-state inseparability was the other gap to the check of power and in establishing the neutrality of the state to deal with ethnic-driven conflict, as a major pathology to the stability of ethnic federal systems. Finally, the power nucleus in the EPRDF created the dominance of TPLF at the perils of diminishing the representative legitimacy and the subordinate position of the “affiliate parties” to EPRDF.
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References
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Gebru Asrat, (2014). Lualawinet ena Democracy be Ethiopia (In Amharic Language). Addis Ababa: un.
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Kavalski, E. and Zolkos, M. (Eds.) (2008). Defunct Federalism. Critical Perspectives on Federal Failure. Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing Limited.
Keane, J. (1989). ‘Introduction,’ in Bobbio, N. (Ed.). Democracy and Dictatorship, p. vi-xxix. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Kinciad, J. (2010). ‘Federalism and democracy: Comparative, empirical and theoretical perspectives’, in Burgess, M. and Gagnon, A. (Eds.), Federal Democracies, p. 299-324. New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
King, R. (1986). The State in the Modern Society: New Direction in Political Sociology. New Jersey: Chatham House Publisher Inc. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18269-5
Kymlicka, W. (2002). Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198782742.003.0001
Kuenzi, M. and Lambright, G. (2005). ‘Party system and democratic consolidation in Africa’s electoral regimes,’ Party Politics, 11: 4, 423-446. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068805053211
Lijphart, A. (2007). ‘The wave of power-sharing democracy,’ in Reynolds, A. (Ed.), The Architecture of Democracy: Constitutional Design, Conflict Management and Democracy, p. 37-55. Oxford Studies in Democratization. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199246467.003.0003
Linz, J. (1997). ‘Democracy, multinationalism and federalism,’ Estudio, Working Paper, 1997/103.
Medhane Tadesse, and Young, J. (2005). ‘TPLF: Reform or decline?’, Review of African Political Economy, 30: 97, 389-403. https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2003.9659773
McGarry, J.and O’Leary B. (2003). “Federation, Conflict Regulation, and National and Ethnic Power-sharing,” A paper presented at the Annual Meeting of American Political Science Associations, August, 2003. Retrieved at << https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022343311431754 >>.
Meles Zenawi Leadership Academy. (2017). YeEthiopia Federal Sereat Bahriyat, Yedimocrasiyawi Andenet Genbata Hidet, Siketochna Yewodefit Aktachawoch (in Amharic Language). Addia Ababa: Mega Printing PLC.
Minutes of Constituent Assembly, Vol.5, Hidar 21-24, 1994.
Mtimkulu, p. (nd). ‘The key to one-party dominance: A comparative analysis of selected states, some lessons for south Africa,’ Journal of African Elections, 8:2, 23-45. https://doi.org/10.20940/JAE/2009/v8i2a2
Nanda, T. (2006). Dictionary of Political Science. New Delhi: Anmol Publications PLC.
Negede Gobeze, (2004). Hige-Mengist; Mircha Ena Dimocracy Beethiopia: Ketinant Wodiya Eske Nege (In Amharic Language). Washington DC: ASEOP Publishers.
Pincion, G and Teson, R. (2006). Rational Choice and Democratic Deliberation: A Theory of Discourse Failure. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511720178
Polity IV. (2014). Report, 2014. Retrieved at << https://www.systemicpeace.org/polity/polity4x.htm >>.
Proclamation No.250/2001. Council of Constitutional Inquiry, Federal Negarit Gazeta, 7th year, No. 40, July 2001 Addis Ababa: Birhanena Selam Printing.
Rustow, D. (1970). ‘Transitions to democracy: Toward a dynamic model,’ Comparative Politics, 2, 337-63. https://doi.org/10.2307/421307
Sartori, G. (1976). Parties and Party Systems. Wivenhoe Park: ECPR Press.
Sawer, G. (1969). Modern Federalism. London: C.A Watts and Co. Ltd.
Scharpf, F. (1995). ‘Federal arrangements and multi-Party systems,’ Australian Journal of Political Science, 30, Special Issue, 27-39.
Thorburn, H. (1978). ‘Canadian pluralist democracy,’ Canadian Journal of Political Science, 11:4, 723-738. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0008423900046588
Tsegaye Regassa, (2010). ‘The making and legitimacy of the Ethiopian Constitution: towards bridging the gap between constitutional design and constitutional practice,’ Afrika focus, 23:1, 85-118. https://doi.org/10.1163/2031356X-02301007
Turton, D. (2005). ‘Four questions about Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism,’ Stair 1:2, 88- 101.
Watts, R. (2008). Comparing Federal Systems, 3rd ed. London: Institute of Inter- Governmental Relations.
Young, J. (1997). Peasant Revolution in Ethiopia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511598654
Aaron Tesfaye, (2002). Political Power and Ethnic Federalism: The Struggle for Democracy in Ethiopia. Oxford: University Press of America.
Abbink J. and Hagmann T. (2011). ‘Twenty years of revolutionary democratic Ethiopia, 1991 to 2011,’ Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5:4, 579-595. https://doi.org/10.1080/17531055.2011.642515
Alemante G. Selassie, (1992). ‘Ethiopia: Problems and prospects for democracy,’ Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J., 205-226.
Asnake Kefale, (2011). ‘The (un)making of opposition coalitions and the challenge of democratization in Ethiopia, 1991–2011,’ Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5:4, 681-701. https://doi.org/10.1080/17531055.2011.642525
Assefa Fiseha, (2008). Federalism and accommodation of diversity in Ethiopia: A comparative study. Netherlands: WLP.
Bekalu Atnafu, (2017). ‘Ethnic federalism and conflict in Ethiopia,’ AJCR, 2017/2. Retrieved at <
Berhanu Nega, (2010). “Identity politics and the struggle for liberty and democracy in Ethiopia,” a Paper Prepared for the Oromo Studies Association (OSA) 24th Annual Conference, 31 July- 1August 1 2010, Howard University, Blackburn Center, Washington DC.
Birhanu Nega, (2006). Yenetsanet Goh Siked: Likelebes Yetemokerew YeEthiopia Democrcy (in Amharic Language).Addis Ababa: un
Bobbio, N. (1989). Dictatorship the Nature and Limits of State Power. Translated by Peter Kennealy. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Boix, C (2007). ‘The emergence of parties and party systems,’ in Boix. C. and Stockes, S. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics, p.499-522. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199566020.003.0021
Burgess, M. and Gagnon, A. (2010). ‘Introduction: Federalism and democracy,’ in Burgess, M. and Gagnon, A (Eds.), Federal Democracies, p.1-27. New York: Routledge.
EIU (Economist Intelligence Unit). (2015). Democracy Index 2015 Democracy in an Age of Anxiety. Retrieved at << https://www.yabiladi.com/img/content/EIU-Democracy-Index-2015.pdf >>.
EPRDF. (2006). The Statute and Program of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), modified and approved by the 6th Congress of the EPRDF.
EPRDF. (2015). Addis Raay. 9th year, 4:7. Addis Ababa: Mega Printing PLC.
EUEOM (European Union Election Observation Mission). (2005). “Final Report on the Legislative Elections of Ethiopia in 2005. Retrieved at << https://www.eods.eu/library/FR%20ETHIOPIA%202005_en.pdf>>
Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC), News, 30 August 2018. Retrieved at << http://et.fanabc.com/english/index.php/news/item/12799-gov%E2%80%99t-orders-nat%E2%80%99l-defense-force,-federal-police-members-to-enter-into-ethiopian-somali-regional-state-to-restore-order >>.
FGACO (Federal Government Affairs Communication Office). (2015). Ethiopia: Annual Book. Addis Ababa: Mega Printing.
Freedom House. (2015). Report, 2015, Ethiopia. Retrieved at << https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2015/ethiopia >>.
Friedman, S. (1999). ‘No easy stroll to dominance: Party dominance, opposition and civil society in South Africa,’ in Giliomee, H. and Simkins, C. (Eds.), The Awkward Embrace One-Party Domination and Democracy, p. 97-127. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers.
Gebru Asrat, (2014). Lualawinet ena Democracy be Ethiopia (In Amharic Language). Addis Ababa: un.
Filippov, M., Ordeshook, P. and Shvetsova, O. (2004). Designing Federalism: A Theory of Self-Sustainable Federal Institutions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511610875
Giliomee, H. and Simkins, C. (Eds.). (1999). The Awkward Embrace One-Party Domination and Democracy. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers.
Hadenius, A. (1992). Democracy and Development. Melborne: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511549731
Hicken, A. (2009). Building Party Systems in Developing Democracies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511575563
HRW (Human Rights Watch). (2010). Ethiopia: “One Hundred ways of Putting Pressure”, Violation of Freedom of Expression and Association in Ethiopia. New York: Human Rights Watch. Retrieved at << https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/ethiopia0310webwcover.pdf >>.
ICG (International Crisis Group). (2009). ‘Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and its discontents,’ Africa Report, No.153, 4 September 2009. Retrieved at << https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/ethiopia/ethiopia-ethnic-federalism-and-its-discontents >>.
IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance). (2005). Electoral System Design: New international IDEA Handbook. Stockholm, Sweden: Trydells Tryckeri AB.
Kavalski, E. and Zolkos, M. (Eds.) (2008). Defunct Federalism. Critical Perspectives on Federal Failure. Hampshire: Ashgate Publishing Limited.
Keane, J. (1989). ‘Introduction,’ in Bobbio, N. (Ed.). Democracy and Dictatorship, p. vi-xxix. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Kinciad, J. (2010). ‘Federalism and democracy: Comparative, empirical and theoretical perspectives’, in Burgess, M. and Gagnon, A. (Eds.), Federal Democracies, p. 299-324. New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group.
King, R. (1986). The State in the Modern Society: New Direction in Political Sociology. New Jersey: Chatham House Publisher Inc. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-18269-5
Kymlicka, W. (2002). Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/hepl/9780198782742.003.0001
Kuenzi, M. and Lambright, G. (2005). ‘Party system and democratic consolidation in Africa’s electoral regimes,’ Party Politics, 11: 4, 423-446. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354068805053211
Lijphart, A. (2007). ‘The wave of power-sharing democracy,’ in Reynolds, A. (Ed.), The Architecture of Democracy: Constitutional Design, Conflict Management and Democracy, p. 37-55. Oxford Studies in Democratization. Oxford: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199246467.003.0003
Linz, J. (1997). ‘Democracy, multinationalism and federalism,’ Estudio, Working Paper, 1997/103.
Medhane Tadesse, and Young, J. (2005). ‘TPLF: Reform or decline?’, Review of African Political Economy, 30: 97, 389-403. https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2003.9659773
McGarry, J.and O’Leary B. (2003). “Federation, Conflict Regulation, and National and Ethnic Power-sharing,” A paper presented at the Annual Meeting of American Political Science Associations, August, 2003. Retrieved at << https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022343311431754 >>.
Meles Zenawi Leadership Academy. (2017). YeEthiopia Federal Sereat Bahriyat, Yedimocrasiyawi Andenet Genbata Hidet, Siketochna Yewodefit Aktachawoch (in Amharic Language). Addia Ababa: Mega Printing PLC.
Minutes of Constituent Assembly, Vol.5, Hidar 21-24, 1994.
Mtimkulu, p. (nd). ‘The key to one-party dominance: A comparative analysis of selected states, some lessons for south Africa,’ Journal of African Elections, 8:2, 23-45. https://doi.org/10.20940/JAE/2009/v8i2a2
Nanda, T. (2006). Dictionary of Political Science. New Delhi: Anmol Publications PLC.
Negede Gobeze, (2004). Hige-Mengist; Mircha Ena Dimocracy Beethiopia: Ketinant Wodiya Eske Nege (In Amharic Language). Washington DC: ASEOP Publishers.
Pincion, G and Teson, R. (2006). Rational Choice and Democratic Deliberation: A Theory of Discourse Failure. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511720178
Polity IV. (2014). Report, 2014. Retrieved at << https://www.systemicpeace.org/polity/polity4x.htm >>.
Proclamation No.250/2001. Council of Constitutional Inquiry, Federal Negarit Gazeta, 7th year, No. 40, July 2001 Addis Ababa: Birhanena Selam Printing.
Rustow, D. (1970). ‘Transitions to democracy: Toward a dynamic model,’ Comparative Politics, 2, 337-63. https://doi.org/10.2307/421307
Sartori, G. (1976). Parties and Party Systems. Wivenhoe Park: ECPR Press.
Sawer, G. (1969). Modern Federalism. London: C.A Watts and Co. Ltd.
Scharpf, F. (1995). ‘Federal arrangements and multi-Party systems,’ Australian Journal of Political Science, 30, Special Issue, 27-39.
Thorburn, H. (1978). ‘Canadian pluralist democracy,’ Canadian Journal of Political Science, 11:4, 723-738. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0008423900046588
Tsegaye Regassa, (2010). ‘The making and legitimacy of the Ethiopian Constitution: towards bridging the gap between constitutional design and constitutional practice,’ Afrika focus, 23:1, 85-118. https://doi.org/10.1163/2031356X-02301007
Turton, D. (2005). ‘Four questions about Ethiopia’s ethnic federalism,’ Stair 1:2, 88- 101.
Watts, R. (2008). Comparing Federal Systems, 3rd ed. London: Institute of Inter- Governmental Relations.
Young, J. (1997). Peasant Revolution in Ethiopia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511598654
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Hegemonic Party System and Federalism: The Case of the Ethiopian Federal System under the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF). (2024). African Journal of Political Science, 12(1), 37-53. https://doi.org/10.36615/44nkbk97
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Hegemonic Party System and Federalism: The Case of the Ethiopian Federal System under the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Party (EPRDF). (2024). African Journal of Political Science, 12(1), 37-53. https://doi.org/10.36615/44nkbk97