The Ethiopian Revolution 1974–1987
A Transformation from an Aristocratic to a Totalitarian Autocracy

A comprehensive account of the Ethiopian revolution currently available, from its origins to 1987.

Andargachew Tiruneh (Author)

9780521124485, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 10 December 2009

456 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.6 cm, 0.67 kg

"The strength of Andargachew's work is in his defining of the political positions of the various factions (or movements) with in the revolution, based largely upon their official newspapers and documents. He does an excellent job of expressing the various nuances, and demonstrating how seemingly minor differences were in fact major points of contention, which helps explain much of the political infighting and violence." African Studies Review

This book is a comprehensive account of the Ethiopian revolution, dealing with the entire span of the revolutionary government's life. Particular emphasis is placed on effectively isolating and articulating the causes and outcomes of the revolution. The author traces the revolution's roots in the weaknesses of the autocratic regime of Haile Selassie, examines the formative years of the revolution in the mid-seventies, when the ideology of scientific socialism was espoused by the ruling military council, and finally charts the consolidation of Mengistu Haile Miriam's power from 1977 to the adoption of a new constitution in 1987. In examining these events, Dr Tiruneh makes extensive use of primary sources written in the national official language. He was also the first Ethiopian nation to write a book on this subject. This book is thus a unique account of a fascinating period, capturing the mood of the revolution as never before, yet firmly grounded in scholarship.

1. The background to the emergence of the structural crisis
Part I. The Collapse of the Old State (January–December 1974): 2. The urban uprising of January to June 1974
3. The turning of an urban movement into a junta dictatorship
Part II. The Formative Years of the Post Revolutionary Order (December 1974–February): 4. The socio-economic reforms of 1975
5. The upsurge of political organisations
6. Scientific socialism and the structure of government
7. From a junta to an autocratic dictatorship
Part III. Consolidation of Power (February 1977–September 1987): 8. The elimination of internal and external threats to Mengistu's power
9. The formation of the Workers Party of Ethiopia
10. The 1987 constitution of PDRE: the formalisation of the party/state
11. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000 [HBLW3], African history [HBJH]