Challenges of nation building in Ethiopia: Focus on the authoritarian nature of political regimes' since 1930s

Abstract

This study examines the adverse impact of Ethiopia's entrenched authoritarian political regimes on the nation-building process. Nation-building, shaped by historical, political, economic, and social factors has faced persistent challenges in Ethiopia across various regimes. The research employed a qualitative approach, using critical analysis of secondary data sources. The findings reveal that authoritarianism, mainly rooted in the political elite’s efforts to centralize power, has consistently hindered Ethiopia’s efforts to build a cohesive nation. These political regimes have often justified their dominance by invoking the need to combat regionalism and promote a unified national identity. However, the study’s comparative analysis, drawing on cases such as Switzerland, highlights that successful nation-building hinges on principles like social justice, inclusiveness, individual freedom, and political settlement – principles largely absent in Ethiopia's political landscape. The political elite’s imposition of authority by force, alongside societal tendencies to either support the regime or disengage politically, has fueled recurrent rebellions, prolonged conflicts, and external vulnerabilities. These factors have significantly undermined Ethiopia's nation-building efforts. The enduring authoritarian culture remains a significant barrier to contemporary nation-building, underscoring the need for transformative governance and political culture.

Keywords: Authoritarianism, Ethiopia, Nation-building, political culture, Regime,