The Hermeneutic of Compartmentalization

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to analyzing and evaluating the interface between religion and society in contemporary Ethiopia. Characteristic of this paradigm is an ethnic federalism and identity politics where despite living in the same country, people are distinguished according to ethnic, linguistic, cultural, even religious divisions. Therefore, I characterize this paradigm in terms of “compartmentalization.” I prefer the term compartmentalization to fragmentation because of the organizational dimension of the paradigm. This organizational aspect comes from two sources. First, despite the ethnic division, the underlying unitary historical consciousness created by the notion of covenant still links the ethnic compartments. Second, the organizational dimension comes from the fact that the system is set up in such a way that the federal government can control the regional governments. The question will be asked as to whether or not this paradigm espouses any philosophical assumption underlying its political ideology and social order. Of especial interest is the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front’s (EPRDF’s) intention to use the issue of “marginalized people groups” as its moral discourse. I will make an inquiry into the potential of the new system to solve the problems left open by the paradigm of demystification.