external influence in the making of development ... - FES Ethiopia

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Given that Ethiopia's underdevelopment has been persistent and that the country faces crisis situation from time to time, there is a need for major reform and demand for capable leaders that respond in a prompt and coherent manner. Leaders that look internally, dialogue with civil society groups and seek local solutions. There is nothing wrong, however, in borrowing ideas about policies and institutions from other countries around the world. East Asian countries are the most recent examples in adapting the lessons of the successful economies in the developed world. However, a country's economic, social and political fabric is of decisive importance for a country's success in developing itself. Development should be rooted in local traditions, culture and history. With respect to integration with the outside world, especially through trade and investment, the weak initial position of the developing countries in general and Ethiopia in particular needs to be appreciated and addressed. Ethiopia and other developing countries should attempt to exploit and develop bargaining positions from the beginning. In this respect, protection of the environment, genetic resources and the value accorded to primary products, etc. are areas the developing world should collectively bargain with. It is also important that rules and standards are genuinely negotiated rather than imposed by the powerful countries. In this respect, each poor country should strive to protect its interests and should not be complacent. A careful analysis of current global trade arrangement calls for ending false promises by the DCs about helping the poor and pressurizing them to open their markets. Ethiopia should also protect itself against capital and skilled labour flight without abandoning equity considerations by pursuing prudent macroeconomic policies, investing in education and training, promoting industrial flexibility and innovation, and other measures which keep the economy internationally competitive. By promoting an allinclusive policy, the country should strive to initiate development dynamism from within that is based on local history, traditions, assets and cultures of the people. On the other hand, the fact that some countries have made considerably greater progress than others, even though they all operate in the same world economic environment indicates that there is some lesson to be drawn from similarly less developed countries. There are also globally accepted basic necessities for a country to embark on sustainable development. These include the promotion of good governance, peace and stability, popular participation, equity, rule of law, human right and transparent and inclusive policy and development process. Ethiopia should strive to make considerable progress in these respects in order to ensure other efforts bear fruit on sustainable basis. In conclusion, a given country has to be in charge of its development fate and resolve its own problems. It should not wait to for the actions and decisions of citizens or governments of other countries to solve its problems. Long lasting solutions to our problems would only come from own decisions and actions rather than from outside. In this respect the less developed countries and/or Sub-Sahara Africa in particular should establish strive to establish their own parallel International Trade Organization that deals actively with the WTO. The UN should have the responsibility to support such initiative. 32
References Abebe Taddesse, (2004): Economic commentary, The Reporter. Alemayehu Seyoum Tafesse (2004): "Economic Governance and Ethiopia's Development - Some Reflections" in Economic Focus Bulleting of EEA, Vol. 6, No. 3, Addis Ababa. Befkadu Regew (2004): European Union: Politics or Development. Cotonou Agreeement (2000): Partership Agreement between the members of the ACP States on the one part and the EC and its member states, of the other part. Carol Lancaster, "Aid Effectiveness: The Problem of Africa. Dariusz K. Rosati (1999): Managing Globalization with Equity, Pland. Eyob Tesfaye (2003): “The Best and the Rest”, Economic Commentary, Fortune Newspaper, Vol. 4. No. 189, December, 2003. Getahun Tafesse (2004): "Agricultural Growth and Poverty Reduction in Ethiopia", EEA/ EEPRI Working Paper (unpublished material), Addis Ababa. Haile Kibret, 2004: Business and Economy Commentary, The Reporter Newspaper. M. Bamberger, et. al, (1996): The Design and Management of Poverty Reduction Programs in Anglophone Africa, World Bank. M. Blackden & C. Bhanu, (1998): Gender, Growth, and Poverty Reduction in Sub- Saharan Africa SPA Status Report. Oxfam, 2002: " Make Trade Fair", Rigged Rules and Double Standards. Ravi Kanbur (2001): Economic Policy, Distribution and Poverty: The Nature of Disagreements. V. Thomas et al, "The Quality of Growth". WIDER (2004): WIDER Angle No.1/2004, United Nations University, Finland. Yohannes Ruphael (2004): Vying for World Trade Organization Membership. Addis Tribune, Friday, February 6, 2004. 33
Page 1 and 2: EXTERNAL INFLUENCE IN THE MAKING OF
Page 3 and 4: Hence, developing countries are dou
Page 5 and 6: other goals may include advancing t
Page 7 and 8: Since 1991, Ethiopia mainly followe
Page 9 and 10: WIDER (2004), total official develo
Page 11 and 12: The end of the Cold War removed the
Page 13 and 14: Aid (grant) Data on aid flows is in
Page 15 and 16: FDI flow to Ethiopia Year FDI Inflo
Page 17 and 18: 4. Ethiopia's Dependence on Aid Eth
Page 19 and 20: Source of Aid Ethiopia receives a f
Page 21 and 22: Dependence on Aid could stifle inte
Page 23 and 24: Aid conditionalities Aid is expecte
Page 25 and 26: South conflict, but a fundamental s
Page 27 and 28: such as the World Bank and Internat
Page 29 and 30: higher, plateau level. The large in
Page 31: Conclusion Ethiopia has been quite

external influence in the making of development ... - FES Ethiopia

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