The Implications of Ethiopian Exceptionalism to International Relations Theory: The Need for Alternative Perspectives

Abstract

Lack of inclusiveness and bias against Africa and non-Western states in general has been a concern in international relations theory. Ethiopia is an exceptional state even by the African benchmarks, given its non-colonial history and salient features in its domestic setting and foreign affairs. Beyond mainstream theories, these exceptions pose a challenge for alternative theories that were developed to explain statehood and foreign policy differently from Western experience. However, the available literature on Ethiopian foreign policy is silent about the ramifications of Ethiopian saliency to international relations theory. Considering this shortfall, the main objective of this study is to explore the implications of Ethiopian exceptionalism for international relations theory. To achieve this objective, the study adopted a qualitative exploratory case study design in which secondary data is organized thematically for content and discourse analysis. Among other things, the study identified the non-colonial origin of the Ethiopian state, sharply contested state identity, the disparity between domestic capacity and foreign influence, and ideological and locational crossroads as main expressions of Ethiopian exceptionalism. The study concludes that Ethiopian exceptionalism, both in its historical origin and contemporary domestic and foreign affairs, requires domestically driven alternative interpretations that are founded on the salient features that are different from African and post-colonial states in other regions.