The Medemer philosophy, like Foucault’s theories of power and knowledge, reveals that true transformation arises not from dominance, but from the dynamic interplay of diverse forces. Just as Foucault unearths the hidden structures that shape our realities, Medemer teaches us that unity and progress are found in the interconnectedness of all things, constantly redefining power and understanding through mutual dependence.
The association between the theories of Michel Foucault, a French philosopher renowned for his work on power, knowledge, and social institutions, and the Medemer philosophy offers a unique space for exploring the interplay between power, identity, and collective action in the context of social cohesion and transformation.
While Foucault’s ideas primarily engage with the mechanisms through which power operates within society, Medemer is centered on national unity and the idea of collective responsibility in Ethiopia, particularly in overcoming the divisions that have historically fragmented the nation. At the heart of both Foucault’s philosophy and the Medemer vision lies a concern with social transformation, the dynamics of power, and the ways in which individuals and collectives shape their identity and future in response to broader political and cultural forces.
Michel Foucault’s exploration of power
Michel Foucault’s most influential contributions lie in his exploration of power and how it is embedded within social structures, institutions, and systems of knowledge. His theory of power diverges from traditional conceptions that view power solely as a top-down force wielded by rulers or governments. Instead, Foucault posits that power is diffused throughout society, present in everyday practices, norms, and discourses. His idea of “power/knowledge” suggests that power and knowledge are inextricably linked; those who control knowledge and discourse also control the structures of power. This control is not just through overt institutions like the state but also through subtle mechanisms such as language, education, and surveillance, which shape individuals’ behaviors, desires, and sense of self.
Foucault’s work on bio politics and governmentality explores how modern states regulate and manage populations, influencing everything from health and education to personal conduct and social norms. Central to his theory is the idea that power is not merely repressive but productive – it shapes what is considered normal, acceptable, and possible in a given society.
Medemer, as a philosophy and political ideology, represents a vision for Ethiopia’s future rooted in the idea of multinational unity, cooperation, and collective progress. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), through Medemer, calls for the integration of Ethiopia’s diverse ethnic, political, and social groups, transcending divisions that have historically fragmented the country. The essence of Medemer is found in its focus on synergy, where the collective effort of Ethiopians is more powerful than the sum of individual efforts.
The philosophy promotes the idea that through collaboration, mutual respect, and the pooling of resources and aspirations, Ethiopia can overcome its past challenges and build a more unified and prosperous future. It is a call for social cohesion, a transformation of the nation through shared goals, and a rejection of the divisiveness that has characterized much of the country’s modern history.
At the heart of both Foucault’s and Medemer’s frameworks; lies a concern with the dynamics of power and how they shape society. For Foucault, power is not something that is simply imposed from above but is woven into the very fabric of society, manifesting in the way individuals relate to one another and to institutions. This perspective offers an intriguing lens through which to view the challenges faced by Ethiopia in its quest for unity.
The country has long been marked by ethnic and political divisions, and these divisions are deeply embedded in the structures of power that govern the nation. Foucault’s ideas about power can help us understand how these divisions are not merely the result of external forces or historical events but are also sustained by the very mechanisms through which knowledge and power are produced and distributed.
In this sense, Foucault’s work on power and knowledge can be applied to Medemer as a philosophical framework that seeks to reimagine the power relations within Ethiopia, encouraging Ethiopians to move beyond the societal forces that perpetuate division and instead embrace a shared vision of unity and national progress.
Foucault’s concept of governmentality
Foucault’s concept of governmentality, which examines the ways in which states regulate and manage populations, also finds resonance with Medemer. Governmentality is concerned with the art of governing and the ways in which states exercise power over individuals, not just through laws and coercive force but through practices that shape people’s behaviors and attitudes.
Medemer, in its emphasis on collective action, cooperation, and national unity, can be seen as a response to the governing practices that have historically reinforced division and conflict within Ethiopian society. The philosophy of Medemer calls for a new way that is relating to governance; one that fosters inclusivity and mutual responsibility, encouraging all Ethiopians to actively participate in the nation’s progress.
In this way, Foucault’s work on governmentality provides a theoretical framework for understanding the challenges of governance in Ethiopia, particularly in the context of a diverse society where competing interests and identities often clash. Medemer, in this sense, can be viewed as an attempt to reshape the way power is exercised within Ethiopia, moving away from divisive practices and towards a more cooperative and integrative form of governance.
Construction of identity and the role of social institutions
Another area where Foucault’s theories intersect with Medemer is in their shared concern with the construction of identity and the role of social institutions in shaping who individuals and groups are. Foucault’s work on subjectivity, particularly in his analysis of how institutions like prisons, schools, and hospitals shape individuals, suggests that identities are not inherent or fixed but are shaped by the power dynamics that define social relations.
The very concept of the ‘self’ is, according to Foucault, a product of historical and cultural forces, constantly being reconstituted through interactions with institutions and discourses of power. This idea is particularly relevant when considering the divisions within Ethiopia.
Ethnic, political, and social identities in Ethiopia have been historically shaped by complex and often contentious power dynamics, and these identities have, in many ways, been used to reinforce division rather than foster unity. Medemer seeks to reshape Ethiopian identity by promoting a vision of collective responsibility that transcends ethnic, political, and historical boundaries. In this way, the philosophy of Medemer can be seen as an attempt to reconstitute Ethiopian identity in a more inclusive and cooperative form, one that is not defined by the divisions and power struggles of the past but by a shared vision of the future.
The micro-politics of power
Foucault’s emphasis on the micro-politics of power, particularly in his later work on biopolitics, also has relevance to the principles of Medemer. Foucault’s biopolitics concerns the ways in which modern states manage the life of populations, regulating everything from health to sexuality to economic activity. This form of governance operates at the level of the individual and the collective, regulating life in ways that extend beyond traditional forms of state control.
In the context of Medemer, biopolitics can be seen as a lens through which to examine how power operates in Ethiopia. The nation’s diverse population has been subject to various forms of governance, some of which have sought to regulate the very identity of Ethiopian citizens through policies that emphasize ethnicity, language, and culture. Medemer challenges these forms of regulation by promoting a vision of Ethiopia where the diversity of its people is not a source of division but a source of strength. This shift in perspective can be understood as an effort to move beyond the biopolitical practices that have historically fragmented Ethiopian society and towards a form of governance that celebrates cooperation and inclusivity.
Foucault’s work on resistance
Foucault’s work on resistance provides another useful point of connection to Medemer. Foucault argued that where there is power, there is always the possibility of resistance, and this resistance is not simply the opposite of power but is also a productive force that can create new possibilities for social relations. In Ethiopia, the Medemer philosophy can be seen as a form of resistance to the historical forces of division and conflict that have characterized much of the nation’s modern history.
By promoting unity, cooperation, and collective responsibility, Medemer represents a challenge to the power structures that have sought to divide Ethiopians along ethnic and political lines. It is a resistance that seeks not just to confront the past but to create a new vision for the future, one that is rooted in shared goals and mutual respect.
In conclusion, the exploration of the association between Michel Foucault’s theories and the Medemer philosophy offers a compelling framework for understanding the dynamics of power, identity, and transformation within the context of Ethiopian society. Foucault’s insights into the diffuse nature of power; the role of institutions in shaping subjectivity; and the possibilities for resistance resonate with the goals of Medemer, which seeks to overcome divisions and build a more unified and cooperative Ethiopia.
Both Foucault and Medemer recognize that power is not simply about domination but is also about the potential for transformation and the creation of new social relations. Medemer, as a political philosophy, can be seen as an attempt to reshape the power dynamics within Ethiopia, moving away from fragmentation and towards a shared vision of national unity. Through the lens of Foucault’s theories, Medemer emerges as both a critique of existing power structures and an attempt to forge a new path for Ethiopia’s future.
The author is Deputy Director General, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. He can be reached at geletidiriba@gmail.com
BY DIRIBA GELETI (PhD)
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 13 MARCH 2025
