Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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THE CHALLENGE OF BUILDING INSTITUTIONS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS FOR PROGRESS IN GLOBAL ECONOMY AND SOCIETY IN THE 21ST CENTURY: THE CASE OF ETHIOPIA AND SELECTED AFRICA AND ASIAN STATES [Abstract ID: 0701-04]

SISAY Asefa, Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for African Development Policy Research (CADPR), Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan

The purpose of this investigation is to explore the governance institutions and leadership challenges that retard creativity and progress with effect of trapping Horn of Africa in poverty, food insecurity, foreign aid dependence in spite of the great potential in natural wealth and hardworking people. Governance is a multi-dimensional concept that involves the traditions and institutions under which political authority in a country is exercised. Governance includes the process by which rulers are selected, monitored and replaced, and the capacity of government to effectively formulate and implement sound and inclusive policies, the respect of citizens and the institutions that determine economic and social policies and interaction among citizens. Sustainable development requires good governance that is predictable, open, enlightened, accountable and inclusive of all citizens and operates under the rule of law and justice. Ethiopia had good governance without democracy based on tradition and culture that lasted for centuries and interrupted when she became cold war victim 1974 captured Military Junta supported by former Soviet Union that collapsed in 1991 the same as Derg. The historic Monarchs from Tewdoros to Yohannes, Menelik and Haile Selassie were uniting rulers until that process of evolution was interrupted failed revolution of 1974 when Ethiopia became cold war victim. The historic Ethiopian leaders were building united nation state in their own way against internal regional challenges including effectively defending nation against foreign enemies. But, that evolution toward uniting good conference was interrupted in 1974 by capture of cruel military junta that came to power with reckless overthrow of last Monarch Haile Selassie who was building and modernizing the Ethiopian nation state during his 42 years of rule. Ethiopia failed under Soviet controlled Military Junta captured by foreign ideology Stalinism and Leninism that collapsed in 1991 at the same time the former Soviet Union which disintegrated peacefully pushed by reforming leaders into 15 republics. Good Governance is desirable as goal in its own right beyond being an important means of sustainable development. According the World Bank, Good governance involves: 1. Voice and accountability, 2.Political stability and absence of violence, 3. Government effectiveness: or the capacity of the state to formulate good policies and deliver services effectively, 4. Regulatory quality, 5. Rule of Law and Justice, and 6. Control of corruption. The proposed paper will begin by comparing a few states in Africa such as Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania in governance and poverty indicators. It is intended to promote dialogue and further research by students and scholars on critical issues of governance, leadership, conflict resolution and peace building in developing states in general and African States in particular with applications for other countries. Even though there is resilience in African state communities, that has not translated in economic progress desired due to autocratic and bad governance that varies across states.