Wollo University

College of Social Science and Humanities

Program……………… BA Degree in Political Science and International Relations

Course Title…….……. Politics of Development Dynamism in Ethiopia (PSIR3082)

Target Group………...2nd Year Political Science and International Relations Students

Semester II……………Year 2020 G.C

Instructor ………… Shimellis Hailu (Assistant Professor of International Relations)

Course Description
This course deals with politics and political economy of development and development
dynamism in Ethiopia both from historical and institutional approaches since the commencement
of modern Ethiopia. The course critically assesses and address the central questions of what,
why, how, with what resources, and for whom development policies, strategies, and program in
the country introduced and try to evaluate the performance, achievements, challenging problems,
limitations, key gaps, and opportunities, as well as their successive end implications in light of
change and continuities of the country. With this in mind, the course is structured to have the
following five carefully selected chapters/units. In cognizance of this, the first chapter deals with
an overview of the nature, foundations, and structure of the Ethiopian economy. Chapter two
analyses the overall nature and aspects the formulation, implementation and evaluation of
development policies, strategies, and program in Ethiopia during the period between 1941-1974.
Chapter three examines the overall nature and aspects of formulation, processes and
implementation of development policies, strategies, and program, under the Derg Regime with
the Socialist development Project and its impacts and policy implications on Ethiopia between
1975-1990 in tune with analyzing and diagnosing the fundamental structural weaknesses.
Chapter four discusses the nature, driving forces, propelling reasons and justifications, processes
and basis of post-1991development policies, strategies and programs in Ethiopia. Chapter five
also deals with challenges and prospects of development in Ethiopia, Current development
discourse: MDGs, GTP and SDG, developmental state approach, Success and challenges.
Course Objectives
After the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
 Understand the major theoretical paradigms of development.
 Be familiar with terminologies and key concepts in the field of development practices
and theories.
 Appreciate the historical and cultural beauty of Ethiopia in the framework of
development
 Understand development dynamics in Ethiopian context.
 Critically reflect on the various development policies and strategies under the three
consecutive regimes in Ethiopia
 Explain the main features, challenges and prospects socio-economic development in
Ethiopia.
 Understand the auspices of global and national development projects/plans (MDG, SDG
and GTPI/II)
Course Contents
Chapter One: Introduction to Development Dynamism in Ethiopia
1.1. Major paradigms of development and their relevance to the Ethiopian case
1.2. The Origin of the Quest for Modernization and Development in Ethiopia (1855-1930)
1.2.1. Emperor Tewodros and Ethiopia’s modernization
1.2.2. Reign of Emperor Menilik Modernization and Education in Ethiopia
Chapter Two: Development Issues, Policies and Strategies During Hale Silassie I Regime
2.1. Modernization Projects of Hale Silassie from 1930-1941
2.2. Development planning Practices in Ethiopia
2.3. Agricultural development in the three successive five year plans
2.4. Industrial sector in the three successive five year plans
2.5. Other sectors and the three successive five year plans
2.6. Successes and Failures of the Development Projects of the Imperial Regime
Chapter Three: Development Issues, Policies and Strategies During the Derg Regime
3.1. Agricultural Development Issues and Strategies
3.2.The Land Reform program
3.3.State Farms and Agricultural Development
3.4. Collectivization Program and Cooperatives
3.5. Resettlement and Villagization Program
3.6.Other Agricultural Transformation Modalities
3.7. Industrial Development and other Sectoral Issues
3.8. Successes and Failures of the Development Projects of the Dergue Regime
Chapter Four: Development Issues, Policies and Strategies in Post-1991 Ethiopia
4.1. Defining Feature of Post 1991 Development Policies and Strategies
4.2. ADLI and Agricultural Development Issues and Strategies
4.3. Industrial and Urban development Policies Issues and Strategies
4.4. Survey of Some Selected Development Policies and Strategies
Chapter Five: The Way Forward
5.1. Challenges and Prospects of Development in Ethiopia
5.2. Current Development Discourse: MDGs &GTPI/II
5.3. Developmental State Approach: Success and Challenges
5.4. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
5.5. Abiyi Premiership and Development Reforms in Ethiopia
Assessment Methods
 Mid- exam ………….. …………….…………………………………………….….….. (20%)
 Group Case report............................................................................................................. (20%)
 One group-based written assignment and presentation……………………………..... (20%)
 Final Exam ………………………………………...…………………………………… (40%)
Reference
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Andreasson, Stefan (2010). AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT IMPASSE: Rethinking the Political
Economy of Transformation. London: Zed Books
BefekaduDegife and BirhanuNega (eds.) (2000) Annual Report on the Ethiopian Economy.
Ethiopian Economic Associaion, Addis Ababa.
David, Simon (1997). Development Reconsidered: New Directions in Development Thinking.
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DereseGetachew (2006) peasant reflections on the agricultural development led industrialization
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(will be provided by the instructor)
Dessalegn Rahmato (2009) the peasant and the state: Studies in Agrarian Change in Ethiopia
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