Citizens under a given political structure do interact for their survival. In the process of
their day to day communication the existing political atmosphere affects them positively
or negatively. When their culture and language are politicized, barriers to cross cultural
communication arise. This kind of political atmosphere tries and tests citizen tolerance
of culture and language difference. Eventually this feeling can grow to destroy the
psychological attachments of different cultural groups.
One of the problems that can be seen in such identity politics is that citizens begin to
generalize individual strength and weakness. Generalization in this context is that
whenever an unreasonable action is carried out by a single group member the other
members of the same group do not easily admit that the act was in fact unreasonable,
especially to members outside of their group.
When a political figure does a good work the atmosphere of identity politics pushes us
to discover his culture and language belongingness and to generalize his strength in
terms of his group. Conversely, attempting to deny negative behaviors of ethnic elites
and make excuses to mask their wrong behaviors happens since group members
identify themselves in terms of their respective group. Internally as well as externally
citizens can become irrational and reactionary in the political and leadership discussion
process.
Whenever high ranking political leaders are accused of having committed a crime they
fear other groups will judge them in a generalized way. Believing that the weakness of
politicians will be considered a weakness of the whole group, transgression is easily
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overlooked. In this kind of political atmosphere citizens can not build trust between
groups because generalization is a virus spoiling even fair judgments of individuals.
This disease affects the whole justice system of the country and ultimately hurts
national cohesion.
Identity confusion
Once identity politics darkened the spirits of Ethiopian citizens they were pushed to
identify themselves by their culture and language groups. During this time those who
were floating in the “melting pot”, as well as those who were enjoying inter-cultural life
and those of mixed-ethnicity faced identity confusion.
When government offices began to write ethnic origin on citizen identity cards a lot of
citizens were confused. The confusion came from citizen’s previous feelings of
identifying themselves nationally to their current feelings of identifying themselves by
ethnic group. They already believed that being Ethiopian was their identity but the new
political climate was forcing citizens to re-identify themselves with their heritage.
In history, in the republic of Rwanda, interahamwe operators forced Rwandans to write
their cultural identity on citizen identity cards. This trend highlighted the differences of
Rwandans and was not promoted by cultural or traditional leaders but rather was led by
government bodies. This practice seemed to accelerate the potential conflict.
Separatism dilemmas
The political climate of identity politics causes citizens to develop feelings of
separatism. As we have seen, ethnic federalism is a virus working to dismantle the
confidence of citizens. First, trust between groups and the government is degraded
making way for a lack of confidence of group elites concerning the uncertain future of
the group. Next, in order to reduce uncertainty groups fall victim to identity politics or
resort to politicizing their geography and culture. Finally, these trends bring about the
state of being separated psychologically at which time groups stand opposed and for the
sole benefit of their respective enclave.
Behaviors of the not only independent but separated ethnic groups are not based on
justice and democracy but rather are driven by self-interest and checked only by selfpreservation.
They do not concern themselves with the cultivation of justice or the
growth of development but instead invest their minds and lives to the business of their
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disparate localities.
Dysfunctional social cohesion
Ethnic federalism can damage the cohesion of Ethiopian ethnic groups as time goes by.
Social cohesion is the guarantee of the continuation of multi-ethnic countries. The coexistence
of ethnic groups is highly dependent on the health and quality of social
interactions overall. Among the social systems that give life to the country is its
political set up. If the political set up is a culture and linguistic oriented one, then it is
natural that groups will develop a personality of suspicion and mistrust, especially,
when the system is not worthy enough to rely on. Since the motive and the
psychological down play of Ethiopian identity politics is a play of advantages (ene
ekedim -ene ekedim). It is impossible to stop the feelings of mistrust among citizens
unless the entire political arena is inoculated against this social virus.
The virus ultimately attacks all of the systems of the society not only the political
system. The traditions of fairness of citizens will lose their place unless Ethiopians
begin immediately to protect themselves from this virus of justice.
The emerging of revenge and hatred based political culture
Identity politics is never free and clear of revenge and hatred. Politics must be free
from these thoughts. One of the ethnic federalism problem is that it victims political
party leaders. Those who have power and control as well as their supporters will
always work to maintain their power. Since ethnic-based politics have darkened the
spirits of Ethiopians group grievances have grown year to year.
According to the failed state index the rise of the group grievance score is markedly
increasing. In 2005 the score was 6, in 2006 it was 7, in 2008 the score was 7.8, in
2009 it was 8.2, in 2010 the score was 8.6, and in 2011 it was 8.4. This increase shows
that the trust between ethnic groups is deteriorating rapidly. Again, Ethiopians must
begin to take action to reverse the effects of ethnic federalism and to stop being the
victims of hateful politics.
