Political parties play a central role in the democratization process in any country. They provide the means through which different public interests are articulated, providing for the aspirations of various sections of society. They are the main actors in the market place of ideas, offering a menu of alternative political platforms on a range of areas, political, economic or social. Their role in building democracy is part of a continuum of activities in which free and fair elections are an integral part, allowing citizens to choose between various alternative platforms. To articulate the interests of their constituencies, parties need to identify, bring together and spell out issues to enhance the best interests of the people. They are, of course, expected to play by the rules laid down in the Constitution and subsequent legislation, even though by the nature of elections not all of a party’s expectations will be met in one or two election terms. Free and fair elections are less about the outcome, winning or losing, than about the process.

 

We have mentioned before the difference between parties that insist that democracy depends upon their victory alone, and parties that are prepared to participate in the democratic process and play the role of a loyal opposition. The former largely focus on the outcome of the elections, on the need to have their own way. Most of the problems in previous elections in Ethiopia have arisen from such a disposition. The latter are prepared to abide by the rules, expose the weakness of governing parties, accept the electoral process whoever wins. Their presence raises the hope that the political process will benefit, no matter who wins or loses elections. Recent developments, notably the Code of Conduct recently signed between the ruling party and 65 opposition parties, suggests the lack of trust that has long characterized inter-party relations in Ethiopia has now been resolved.  

 

Unfortunately, this idea that opposition parties can play a real role in strengthening the democratic process has never lacked detractors. Some opposition politicians have made no secret of their preference for the rough and tumble of “color” revolutions to try to short-circuit their way to power. Their declared intentions may be outrageous, but they have never been without supporters among international media outlets or advocacy groups, including Human Rights Watch, and now the Economist. The latest article on Ethiopia in the Economist (“Anxious Ethiopia: Jangling Nerves”) is a classic piece of partisanship of the kind that the detractors of the democratization process have deployed in their campaign to de-legitimize the election in advance. It appears to be trying to undo whatever positive impact recent multi-party negotiations over the Code of Conduct and other issues have had on the democratic and electoral process. It is true the article does raise a number of issues purportedly attempting to shed light on economic and political developments in Ethiopia under the EPRDF. It even manages to put in a few kind words about successes in education and health. These, however, are merely the prelude to an unsparing indictment against the legitimacy of the political process in Ethiopia and the very notion of loyal opposition. The Economist finds it difficult to accept the legitimacy of the Code of Conduct. In a curious turn of phrase, it claims some of the opposition parties may indeed be “genuine”, but labels most of those who signed the Code as being “in hock to the EPRDF”, another surprising phrase to describe parties that are prepared to accept the Constitution. It is strange that any ‘neutral’ foreign media can so casually label opposition parties of another country as genuine or otherwise on grounds that have nothing to do with building democracy. 

What all this highlights is the fact that the Economist is no friend to any loyal opposition in the developing world or in Ethiopia. Of course, any genuine democracy needs a loyal opposition; indeed, no real democracy can do without it. In a serious democratic electoral process, only parties with a real political platform, and a willingness to play by the rules, can be considered genuine contenders for power. Opposition elements that insist on trying to grab power by any means, fair or foul, will always remain just “spoilers”. No amount of sloganeering or media campaigning on their behalf will change that. The process of democratization in Ethiopia will not be affected by their efforts at de-legitimization or by unsavory articles in the Economist.