ABSTRACT

This article critically analyses the history of the Ethiopian sugar industry, with emphasis on drivers, decision-making and processes of incorporation and exclusion aiming to transform lowlands. We argue that the government has used a state-led modernization and expansion of the sugar industry to consolidate the power of central governments. Through the creation of sugar-based agribusinesses, the changing regimes have sought to extend their control over natural resources, increase the movement of labour, and stimulate economic growth. This has led to deepened state structures and considerable transformation of power relations, causing marginalization of the affected communities. In Ethiopia’s post-2018 political and economic transition, this modernist and expansionist programme found itself in a set of deep economic and financial crises, leading to government initiatives to privatize the sugar industry. In response to the privatization initiatives, local elites articulate and contest the historical process of marginalization and compete in demanding redress for the adverse incorporation of the communities. They do so to expand the community space for agency and enforce their interests in gaining from, and perhaps dominating a privatization process through takeover strategies. The past modernist development approach that caused marginalization is likely to affect a new stage of lowland transformation.

摘要

本文批判性地分析了埃塞俄比亚制糖业的历史，重点关注旨在改造低地的驱动因素、决策以及合并和排斥过程。我们认为，政府利用国家主导的制糖业现代化和扩张来巩固中央政府的权力。通过创建以糖为基础的农业企业，不断变化的政权试图扩大对自然资源的控制，增加劳动力的流动，并刺激经济增长。这导致国家结构深化和权力关系大幅转变，导致受影响社区边缘化。在埃塞俄比亚 2018 年后的政治和经济转型中，这一现代主义和扩张主义计划发现自己陷入了一系列深刻的经济和金融危机，导致政府采取举措将制糖业私有化。为了响应私有化举措，当地精英阐明并质疑边缘化的历史进程，并竞相要求对社区的不利融合进行纠正。他们这样做是为了扩大机构的社区空间，并通过收购战略强化他们从私有化进程中获益甚至主导私有化进程的利益。过去导致边缘化的现代主义发展方式可能会影响低地转型的新阶段。他们这样做是为了扩大机构的社区空间，并通过收购战略强化他们从私有化进程中获益甚至主导私有化进程的利益。过去导致边缘化的现代主义发展方式可能会影响低地转型的新阶段。他们这样做是为了扩大机构的社区空间，并通过收购战略强化他们从私有化进程中获益，甚至可能主导私有化进程的利益。过去导致边缘化的现代主义发展方式可能会影响低地转型的新阶段。