Communism in Ethiopia
Extended Essay on History:
Candidate Name: Gebriel Abebe Balcha
Candidate Number: 00751-018
Communism in Ethiopia 1974-1987
Research Question:
To what extent was the Ethiopian Derg Regime a communist regime?
WORD COUNT: 3,983
Abstract
This extended essay deals with the research question: To what extent was the Ethiopian Derg Regime a Communist Regime following Marxist-Leninist ideology? It looks at the Derg Regime and its formation during the Ethiopian Revolution of 1974. It undertakes the investigation of the influences of communism within Ethiopia attempting to explain the Derg’s rise to power and the reasons for its demise, specifically looking at the extent to which the Derg was a communist regime. The scope of this extended essay is limited to the analysis of the Marxist-Leninist concepts attempted to be implemented by the Derg in Ethiopia. The essay does also take a look at the influences to the rise of the Derg Regime and influences that made the Derg adopt Marxist-Leninist ideology. To fully analyze the Derg and its affiliation with Marxist-Leninist ideology a variety of historical books, essays and articles that details the Derg’s rise to power, the communist concepts it adopted and the concepts it failed to adopt are studied. Discussions with victims of the Derg regime help investigate the effects of these reforms on the Ethiopian public. Further discussions with an Addis Ababa University professor will provide adequate detailed information on Communism in Ethiopia and the Derg’s affiliation with Marxism-Leninism. The investigation concludes that the Derg was not a Communist Regime that followed Marxist-Leninist ideology. Despite the Derg’s implementation of land reform and nationalization of businesses, the Derg had failed to form a socialist party to take control of Ethiopia. The added lack of support for communist ideology to the end of the Derg regime and the renouncing of
Candidate Name: Gebriel Abebe Balcha
Candidate Number: 00751-018
Communism in Ethiopia 1974-1987
Research Question:
To what extent was the Ethiopian Derg Regime a communist regime?
WORD COUNT: 3,983
Abstract
This extended essay deals with the research question: To what extent was the Ethiopian Derg Regime a Communist Regime following Marxist-Leninist ideology? It looks at the Derg Regime and its formation during the Ethiopian Revolution of 1974. It undertakes the investigation of the influences of communism within Ethiopia attempting to explain the Derg’s rise to power and the reasons for its demise, specifically looking at the extent to which the Derg was a communist regime. The scope of this extended essay is limited to the analysis of the Marxist-Leninist concepts attempted to be implemented by the Derg in Ethiopia. The essay does also take a look at the influences to the rise of the Derg Regime and influences that made the Derg adopt Marxist-Leninist ideology. To fully analyze the Derg and its affiliation with Marxist-Leninist ideology a variety of historical books, essays and articles that details the Derg’s rise to power, the communist concepts it adopted and the concepts it failed to adopt are studied. Discussions with victims of the Derg regime help investigate the effects of these reforms on the Ethiopian public. Further discussions with an Addis Ababa University professor will provide adequate detailed information on Communism in Ethiopia and the Derg’s affiliation with Marxism-Leninism. The investigation concludes that the Derg was not a Communist Regime that followed Marxist-Leninist ideology. Despite the Derg’s implementation of land reform and nationalization of businesses, the Derg had failed to form a socialist party to take control of Ethiopia. The added lack of support for communist ideology to the end of the Derg regime and the renouncing of
Bibliography: • Donham, L. Donald. 1999. Marxist Modern An Ethnographic History of the Ethiopian Revolution. Los Angeles. University of California Press. • Tiruneh, Andargachew. 1993. The Ethiopian Revolution 1974-1987 a transformation from an aristocratic to a totalitarian autocracy. Cambridge. Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. • Kiros, Kidane, 2008, The Right to self-determination and Accommodation of Cultural diversity: The case of Ethiopian ethnic-federalism, IFF Summer University -----------------------