Politics of Directions
I have always wanted to write about ideological differences in Ethipian politics. Recent editorials of my favourite Ethiopian paper, Addis Fortune, especially the one on Aug. 20th edition (Volume 7, Number 229) initiated this article.
The editorial eloquently summarizes the leftist ideology that has dominated Ethiopian politics from the old days of the popular student movement, which gave rise to most of the current prominent voices in the country. The media loves to associate political views with directions – left, center-left, ceter-right, right, ultra-right and what have you. I remember Addis fortune referring to the CUD as the social democrats and the EPRDF as the revolutionary democrats consistently.
Though I am not denying that there are some differences in the political views of the parties mentioned above and other prominent opposition leaders has elements of ‘being left and right’, that never really was the real difference between the parties. Let me give two examples.
We all know, at least seem to know, OLF and what the organization struggles for- do we? Is it for the independence of Oromia, or is it for the right for self-determination, or is it for the establishment of a federal system in Ethiopia? I am not trying to anylyse the stands of OLF. I just wanted to ask both the genuine supporters of OLF, and those opposing it, whether they really know anything about the economic policies the party. In fact, does it really matter whether OLF is friendly to the private sector or not. I bet, even the hard core supporters, and hard core opposition politicians alike, don’t have a clue.
Another case in point is, whether the amazing number of votes won by the opposition in the last election is really due to being on the right side of the political scale when compared to EPRDF. I seriously don’t think so. Another editorial from Addis fortune (Vol 7, Number 230) testifies to that. The editorial shows how the views of Birhanu Nega, Meles Zenawi, and Beyene Petros are not very different about the “developmental democratic state”.
Long before the election, I remember debates between the opposition about and the governing party about “Agriculture-led” and “Industry-led” development paradigms. I never really saw the real ideological difference between the debaters except the mottos. Every body was just emphasizing how important agro-industry to our economy is.
I find the association of political and/or economic ideologies with directions interesting and convenient. But being left, right or center, does not really characterize our politicians. The biggest conflicting ideology is actually the how group rights are viewed. That is the real issue that identifies our prominent players in the political arena. Those who are fond of the old Abyssinia (northern Ethiopia) argue that individual right are the key to a vibrant and successful society. Those who see the Abyssinian domination more as colonization see group rights as the absolute starting point before we talk about prosperity.
In order to keep the tradition of referring to political beliefs in easier directional terms, I would rather use the terms north and south, and as well center. Obviously, the north-most politicians are those who don’t even acknowledge that there have been tribal problems in our society. And the furthest south represents those who believe nothing other than independence cures hundred and plus years of wrong doing. I can only hope that we come to a certain understanding in this north-south division and I live to see people voting along left-right division. Let’s have fun in putting our politicians in the north-south scale for a change.
I have always wanted to write about ideological differences in Ethipian politics. Recent editorials of my favourite Ethiopian paper, Addis Fortune, especially the one on Aug. 20th edition (Volume 7, Number 229) initiated this article.
The editorial eloquently summarizes the leftist ideology that has dominated Ethiopian politics from the old days of the popular student movement, which gave rise to most of the current prominent voices in the country. The media loves to associate political views with directions – left, center-left, ceter-right, right, ultra-right and what have you. I remember Addis fortune referring to the CUD as the social democrats and the EPRDF as the revolutionary democrats consistently.
Though I am not denying that there are some differences in the political views of the parties mentioned above and other prominent opposition leaders has elements of ‘being left and right’, that never really was the real difference between the parties. Let me give two examples.
We all know, at least seem to know, OLF and what the organization struggles for- do we? Is it for the independence of Oromia, or is it for the right for self-determination, or is it for the establishment of a federal system in Ethiopia? I am not trying to anylyse the stands of OLF. I just wanted to ask both the genuine supporters of OLF, and those opposing it, whether they really know anything about the economic policies the party. In fact, does it really matter whether OLF is friendly to the private sector or not. I bet, even the hard core supporters, and hard core opposition politicians alike, don’t have a clue.
Another case in point is, whether the amazing number of votes won by the opposition in the last election is really due to being on the right side of the political scale when compared to EPRDF. I seriously don’t think so. Another editorial from Addis fortune (Vol 7, Number 230) testifies to that. The editorial shows how the views of Birhanu Nega, Meles Zenawi, and Beyene Petros are not very different about the “developmental democratic state”.
Long before the election, I remember debates between the opposition about and the governing party about “Agriculture-led” and “Industry-led” development paradigms. I never really saw the real ideological difference between the debaters except the mottos. Every body was just emphasizing how important agro-industry to our economy is.
I find the association of political and/or economic ideologies with directions interesting and convenient. But being left, right or center, does not really characterize our politicians. The biggest conflicting ideology is actually the how group rights are viewed. That is the real issue that identifies our prominent players in the political arena. Those who are fond of the old Abyssinia (northern Ethiopia) argue that individual right are the key to a vibrant and successful society. Those who see the Abyssinian domination more as colonization see group rights as the absolute starting point before we talk about prosperity.
In order to keep the tradition of referring to political beliefs in easier directional terms, I would rather use the terms north and south, and as well center. Obviously, the north-most politicians are those who don’t even acknowledge that there have been tribal problems in our society. And the furthest south represents those who believe nothing other than independence cures hundred and plus years of wrong doing. I can only hope that we come to a certain understanding in this north-south division and I live to see people voting along left-right division. Let’s have fun in putting our politicians in the north-south scale for a change.
posted by Addis Ethiopia at
8:34 AM
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