Yonas Ashine (Ph.D.), came up with a new outlook to Ethiopia’s state formation with his new book: “Slaves of State, Intellectuals of Dev’t: A Genealogy of Dev’t in Ethiopia.”
During launching ceremony last Monday Yonas Ashine (Ph.D.), gave a brief introduction of his work followed by the presentation of two discussants.
This volume is a dissertation turned into a book. The book covers a long period; connecting pre-modern state formation with modern state making through making use of genealogy. In some parts, the book focuses on selected events and episodes towards a deeper understanding of historical entities. At another time, it considers a section of history that transcends centuries as explanatory sites to make certain historical trends intelligible.
Asnake Kefale (Ph.D.), who is a lecturer at Addis Ababa University Political Science and International Relations appreciated the book saying its innovative methodologies could be exemplary for other researchers. The book also used literary sources, especially novels, as sources of data.
The book also challenges the history of the Ethiopian state’s formation with a history of the state, of the political. Moderator of the discussion Elizabeth Woldgiorgis (Ph.D.) witnessed as the book taken a lot of time, resources, etc. to be published. She also said it can set a standard and encourage young scholars to come up with similar publications.
Semeneh Ayalew (Ph.D.) has simialr views. He says the book demystifies one pillar of Ethiopian Exceptionalism in state formation in the history of a similar pattern in pre-modern Africa. The program, which was attended by scholars, graduate, and undergraduate students of AAU provided comments, suggestions, and questions that need further elaboration. Yonas Ashine (Ph.D.) is as an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Addis Ababa University.
The Ethiopian Herald July 31/2022
