Ethnic Identity Politics and the Sustenance of Predatory States in Africa: A Case Study of Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethnic identity is the central issue around which politics has been organized and shaped in many African countries, as it has been evidenced on the congruence of voting patterns and ethnic affiliation in emerging African democracies. Political elites often exploit ethnic identity for political gain by appealing to primordial attachments, exploiting ethnic grievances, and promising economic and political benefits in exchange for loyalty and votes. This study explores how identity politics, particularly ethnic identities, are defined, pursued, and manipulated by African predatory states to achieve political advantages. Using Ethiopia as a case study, it examines how identity politics has been used to mobilize groups of people and establish and maintain political power. The politicization and manipulation of ethnicity, along with the patronage system employed by African predatory states, have had adverse political consequences, including ethnic polarization, political instability, the marginalization of certain ethnic groups, corruption, suppression of dissent, and the perpetuation of authoritarian rule. The study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between ethnic identity politics, predatory states, and the resulting political dynamics, contributing to a deeper understanding of the challenges and complexities of democratization and governance in Africa.