Democratic Developmental State Experience : The Case of Ethiopia, 2002 to Feb 2018

Abstract

Ethiopia officially declared to follow a democratic developmental state since 2002. Some scholars argue that there is an attempt to emulate the developmental state in Ethiopia, citing a few features of the developmental state in the country. However, critics question whether Ethiopia is an example of a modern-day emerging African democratic developmental state or not. Unlike others, this thesis provides a comprehensive review of whether Ethiopia is a developmental state or not using the main features (indicators) of developmental states and democracy as set out by original and contemporary thinkers. The thesis also develops an analytical framework for analysing an emerging developmental state model to verify the extent to which Ethiopia fulfills these criteria. In this context, an Index is prepared to measure the extent of Ethiopia’s democratic developmental state following the survey conducted. By doing so, the study bridges a significant gap in the literature and empirical evidence on the developmental state practice of Ethiopia. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed in this thesis. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. In this regard, the inter-method triangulation technique was used. The triangulation methods employed were desk research, expert surveys, key informant interviews, direct personal observation, and case studies. Exploratory, descriptive, analytical, and critical methods of data analysis were also employed. This was done by taking the research questions and study objectives into account. Accordingly, relevant findings are drawn, and conclusions and policy recommendations are articulated. The main conclusion of the thesis is, therefore, that there is an emerging democratic developmental state in Ethiopia, although it is not bereft of challenges. The government of Ethiopia made progress in relation to a few developmental state indicators. However, the finding from this study indicates that the practice of democracy in the country is wanting. The four case studies reveal that despite clearly designed policy interventions, the government did not achieve the desired objectives in each flagship project because of diverse challenges. This affected the actualisation of the expected structural transformation of the economy in the country. Considering the study's findings, the Ethiopian government’s willingness, commitment and determination to promoting features of a democratic developmental state are vital to its success. Keywords: developmental state, democracy, emerging, government, Ethiopia