Ethnic Federalism in a Dominant Party State: The Ethiopian Experience 1991-2000 Lovise Aalen r 2002: 2

particularly relevant for the Ethiopian federal system. The general aspects
provide definitions on basic concepts which are helpful in answering the first of
my research questions: in what way does the Ethiopian federal model de jure
correspond or conflict with the central principles of federalism and dominant
practices of established federal systems? The more specific aspects include
theories on the functioning of federal systems, and are useful in the answering
of my second research question: what are the de facto relations between the
federal and regional levels of government in Ethiopia and what determines the
nature of these relations?
Chapter 3 deals with the methodological considerations and data collection.
The different sources of evidence like interviews, documents and literature are
examined. The aim of this chapter is to ensure the validity and reliability of the
analysis by describing how the data were collected and interpreted.
Chapter 4 explores Ethiopian federalism, the so-called normative base for
the federation in Ethiopia. Under which circumstances were the federal system
introduced? The chapter will firstly consider the justifications for introducing
federalism as a principle of state construction, the so-called normative base for
the Ethiopian federation. Secondly, it will examine the process of launching
federalism in Ethiopia. Should the process be described as inclusive or
exclusive, as a bargain or an imposition? Thirdly, it will present the opposition
parties views of the federal project.
The institutional arrangements and the Ethiopian federation de jure are the
subjects of analysis in chapter 5. With the basic definitions of federal theory as
a point of departure, the Ethiopian constitutions and various government
proclamations will be examined. The aim with this chapter is to understand
how the formal federal structures are intended to work and whether these
correspond or conflict with federal theory and the practices of other federal
systems.
Chapter 6 is the final and major part of this analysis and deals with the
actual functioning of the federal system. It starts with an examination of the
various regional states’ socio-economic, ethnic and political situations, and
their relationship to the federal government. Thereafter, I shall pay attention to
the fiscal relationship between the regional and federal governments. Finally, I
will discuss the role played by the political parties in determining federal-
regional relations. Does the organisation of the political parties in Ethiopia
enhance or weaken the federal division of power? In order to demonstrate the
importance of the party structures in federal-regional relations, the last section
of the chapter includes an analysis of central-regional party dynamics in two
selected regions, Tigray and SNNPRS.
Chapter 7 is the concluding chapter. It will sum up the findings of the
analysis and reflect on the implications of the overall conclusion that I have
made for the previous chapters. Finally, I will describe some important political
events that took place after my data collection was over, which might have
great impacts on the functioning of the Ethiopian federal system in the future.

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