The Politics of Ethnicity in Ethiopia

Lovise Aalen, Ph.D. (2008) in Political Science, University of Oslo, is Senior Researcher at Chr. Michelsen Institute, Norway. Her other publications include a wide scope of studies of Ethiopian politics, among them Ethiopia since the Derg: A decade of Democratic Pretentions and Performance (co-editor; Zed Books 2002).

Political scientists, anthropologists, development practitioners, and policy makers dealing with multi-ethnic societies, federalism, ethnic conflict regulation, and the nature of ethnic identities. Africanists and readers of Ethiopian politics and societies.

CONTENTS
Preface and Acknowledgements ...................................................... vii
Abbreviations ..................................................................................... xi
Selected Glossary ............................................................................... xiii
List of Maps and Tables ................................................................... xv
Chapter One Introduction: The Limits of Institutions in
Multiethnic Societies ..................................................................... 1
Chapter Two ‘National Self-Determination’: Federalism the
Ethiopian Way ............................................................................... 25
Chapter Three The Historical Trajectories of Local Ethnic
Polities: The Sidama and the Wolayta ....................................... 55
Chapter Four Ethnic Politics in Play: Implementing
Self-Determination in a South Ethiopian Context .................. 95
Chapter Five Crafting Ethnic Politics: The Formation of
Parties in Sidama and Wolayta ................................................... 109
Chapter Six Dealing with Local Minorities: The Persistence
of Discriminatory Practices under Ethnic Federalism ............ 127
Chapter Seven Identities or Resources at Stake?
Controversies on National Self-Determination in Sidama
and Wolayta ................................................................................... 147
Chapter Eight Conclusion: The Facets of Ethnic Federalism 179
References ........................................................................................... 195
Index ....................................................................................................203