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A critique of building a developmental state in the EPRDF's Ethiopia

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  • Kelecha, Mebratu

Abstract

This article explores the main features of Ethiopia's ‘developmental state’ and takes a critical look at how the model is applied in practice, capturing parallels and contradictions through comparative evidence with that of the East Asia model. Accordingly, it notes that the East Asian model has a strong ideological influence on the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) regime, allowing it to formulate a strong vision of development, but this, although it contributed to economic growth, failed to ensure democracy and stability in the country. It argues that land grabbing and political instability are the biggest threats to Ethiopia's development prospects.

Suggested Citation

  • Kelecha, Mebratu, 2022. "A critique of building a developmental state in the EPRDF's Ethiopia," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 124870, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:124870
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/124870/
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. W. G. Huff, 2001. "Discussion: Building the Developmental State: Achieving Economic Growth Through Co-operative Solutions: A Comment on Bringing Politics Back I," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(1), pages 147-151.
    2. Marco Nunzio, 2015. "What is the Alternative? Youth, Entrepreneurship and the Developmental State in Urban Ethiopia," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 46(5), pages 1179-1200, September.
    3. Mkandawire, Thandika, 2001. "Thinking about Developmental States in Africa," Cambridge Journal of Economics, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 25(3), pages 289-313, May.
    4. Jewellord Nem Singh & Jesse Salah Ovadia, 2018. "The theory and practice of building developmental states in the Global South," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(6), pages 1033-1055, June.
    5. Admasu Shiferaw, 2017. "Productive Capacity and Economic Growth in Ethiopia," CDP Background Papers 034, United Nations, Department of Economics and Social Affairs.
    6. Fana Gebresenbet, 2014. "Securitisation of development in Ethiopia: the discourse and politics of developmentalism," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(sup1), pages 64-74, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Addis Ababa Master Plan; Developmental state; EPRDF/Ethiopia; Oromo protests; land grabbing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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