CI.CH.5

• What does constitutionalism refer to?

  It refers to a doctrine that governments should be faithful to their constitutions.
• Why is constitutionalism important for citizens' rights?

  Because it protects citizens' rights from arbitrary actions and decisions of the government.
• What are the essential elements for constitutionalism?

  The essential elements are a constitution and its effective implementation.
• What does constitutionalism desire in terms of political order?

  It desires a political order in which the powers of the government are limited.
• In what type of country can a constitutional government be said to exist?

  Only in a democratic country.
• What does constitutionalism check regarding government actions?

  It checks whether the act of government is legitimate and whether officials conduct their public duties according to laws.
• When was the first written constitution promulgated in Ethiopia?

  In 1931.
• What characterized Ethiopia's constitutional history before 1931?

  Ethiopia had a far back constitutional history of unwritten form.
• What role did the Ethiopian Orthodox Church play in monarchical rule before 1931?

  It was the chief legitimator of monarchical rule.
• What were the precursors to the formal written Ethiopian national constitutions?

  Documents like the Kebra Nagast, the Fatha Nagast, and serate mengest.
• What is the Fetha Negest?

  It is a collection of laws used in Christian Ethiopia for many centuries.
• Who originally wrote the Fetha Negest?

  It was originally written in Arabic by Abu-l Fada‘il Ibn al-Assal.
• What idea does the Fetha Negest contain regarding kingship?

  It contains the idea of divine rights of kings, assuming rulers have God-given power.
• What does Kibre Negest mean?

  It means "glory of king."
• What was the purpose of the Kibre Negest?


  It documented the mythical origins of the royal house and defined who should become king.
• What was the significance of the Ser’ate Mengist?


  It provided certain administrative protocols and directives in the 19th century.
• When was the first written constitution of Ethiopia promulgated?


  On July 16, 1931.
• What did the 1931 constitution reinforce regarding the emperor's position?

  It reinforced the traditional position of the emperor as "Elect of God, King of Kings of Ethiopia."
• What internal factor influenced the development of the 1931 constitution?

  The need to suppress the powerful traditional nobilities to centralize power in the emperor.
• What was the outcome of the 1931 constitution regarding the nobility?

  It marked the gradual reduction of their role in local leadership.
• What external factors led to the revision of the 1931 constitution?

  The growing interaction between Ethiopia and western European countries.
• What was the significance of the revised constitution of 1955?

  It continued to reinforce the process of centralization and elaborated the powers of the Emperor.
• What major event affected Ethiopian politics leading to the revised constitution of 1955?

  World War II and its aftermath.
• What was the role of the emperor after the revision of the 1931 constitution?


  The emperor remained both the head of state and government, overseeing the judiciary.
• What was the impact of the federation of Eritrea with Ethiopia on the legal system?


  It led to the addition of the federal act and the Eritrean constitution into the Ethiopian legal system.
• What was the purpose of the Eritrean constitution established with UN support?

  It incorporated human rights provisions and implied a more liberal government.
• What characterized the period from 1974 to 1987 in Ethiopia?

  It was a period of constitutional vacuum in Ethiopia.
• What was established by the Dergue after coming to power?

  The Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC).
• What was the nature of the decrees and proclamations issued by the Dergue?

  They were used as legal rules until the adoption of the 1987 constitution.
• What was the significance of the 1987 constitution adopted by the Dergue?

  It was different in nature from previous constitutions and aimed to legitimize the Dergue's rule.
• What are the key differences between constitution and constitutionalism?

  • Constitution: A written document outlining the fundamental laws of a state.
  • Constitutionalism: The principle that government authority is derived from and limited by a constitution.

  
• What are the main sources of legitimacy in Ethiopia's past?

  • Force (conquest, military expansion)
  • Religion (Orthodox Christianity)
  • Tradition (right genealogy)
• What were the main features of the 1931 constitution?

  • Reinforced the emperor's position
  • Centralized power in the hands of the emperor
  • Marked the end of the nobility's significant role
• What were the internal and external factors for the revision of the 1931 constitution?

  Internal Factors:

  • Need to suppress traditional nobilities
  • Centralization of state power

  
  

  External Factors:

  • Growing interaction with western European countries
  • Desire to modernize Ethiopia's image

  
• What were the implications of the 1955 revised constitution?

  • Continued centralization of power
  • Elaborated powers of the emperor
  • Introduced civil and political rights for subjects
• What was the impact of World War II on Ethiopian politics?

  • Weakened the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and traditional aristocracy
  • Led to the rise of a new generation of Ethiopian intellectuals
  • Prompted the emperor to revise the constitution

  
• What significant event occurred in Ethiopia in 1987 regarding its constitution?


  A new constitution was adopted.
• What measures were taken by the government after coming to power in 1974?

  Nationalization of rural and urban land, extra urban houses, private schools, and factories.
• Why can't the decrees and proclamations from 1974-1987 be given constitutional status?


  They do not address basic constitutional issues.
• How did the 1987 constitution differ from its predecessors?


  It separated state and religion and included provisions for democratic and human rights.