Ethiopia Research Paper

Ethiopia has claimed double-digit economic growth rates over the past decade and is pursuing an ambitious development agenda to become an industrialized nation and step away from the poverty that has dogged it for centuries. However, it still has its problems, especially in the ethnic diversity area. While Ethiopia is becoming a part of the modern global community, it is not attributed to either its internal diversity or outside influences. In fact, Ethiopia’s great diversity is causing increasing tension in the nation as it works to modernize itself and outside influences have not yet brought great change to the nation’s economy or politics.
Ethiopia’s rich diversity is contributing to ethnic tensions as the nation embraces development and …show more content…
There are approximately 70 ethnic groups in the nation. The Amhara and Oromo ethnic groups are the largest groups sharing approximately 40% of country each. The Tigrean ethnic group comprises about eight percent. The remaining 12% of the nation are members the nearly 70 other groups that make up Ethiopia (“Diversity”). The Oromo, Amhara, and maybe the Tigrean live united due its immense size, but the other approximately 67 ethnicities do not since they only make up for 12%. This created the image that Ethiopia was a strong empire, because only 2 to 3 ethnicities had the majority, and they worked well together. According to a New York Times article, “The central government presides over a federalist system that, on paper, ensures equal rights for the more than 80 ethnic groups in Ethiopia. But many Oromo activists complain of political and socioeconomic marginalization that stretches back generations. The master plan has become a rallying cause.” (Fortin) On paper, Ethiopia is trying to become an equal and fair society, but it is harder to actually do it. There will always be hiccups in a system to become a great nation. Also, Ethiopia’s strong diversity being able to become a strong nation is a result of its people existing for