The Ethiopian No-Party State: A Note on the Functions of Political Parties in Developing States

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

E-ISSN: 1537-5943|58|4|947-950

ISSN: 0003-0554

Source: American Political Science Review, Vol.58, Iss.4, 1964-12, pp. : 947-950

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Abstract

The emergence of political parties performing important functions in the political system has characterized the recent history of much of the African continent. The new party systems have taken various forms, including single parties with a narrow ruling elite, as in Liberia, or with mass support, as in Guinea; two-party systems where one mass party is dominant, as is the case in Kenya; and multi-party systems, as in Nigeria and Somalia. In two states, Libya and Sudan, once-flourishing political parties have been banned. Only in Ethiopia (Etritrea excluded) have there never been political parties. The Empire of the Conquering Lion of Judah can well be termed a no-party state. In Ethiopia today no organization exists that would or could describe itself as a political party.