The Dynamics of Social Contract and Revolution: A Critical Assessment of the Right to Resistance from Ethiopia Perspective, based on John Locke's Concept.
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Date
2024-09-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis critically studies John Locke's concept of the right to revolution and its applicability
to the Ethiopian context from 1974 to 2021. The thesis argues that while Locke's concept of the
right to revolution provides a valuable framework for understanding resistance in Ethiopia, it is
limited in its focus on individual rights and fails to fully capture the country's unique socio
political environment. Despite the fact that Locke's framework offers a valuable tool for
understanding resistance and revolution in Ethiopia, it also presents limitations, particularly in its
focus on individual rights. Positioning Locke within social contract theory, the thesis tries to see
into his ideas of natural law, consent of the government and people, and conditions justifying
revolution.
The study then applies Locke's framework to analyze the Ethiopian tradition of self-governance
and natural rights, particularly during the Derg regime and the post-Derg EPRDF era. The thesis
analysis highlights both the strengths and limitations of Locke's theory in understanding
Ethiopian revolutions within the country's unique socio-political landscape, which emphasizes
communal rights alongside individual freedoms.
Furthermore, the thesis addresses the legitimacy, morality, and effectiveness of resistance
movements in Ethiopia. This includes examining criteria for just cause, ethical dilemmas faced
during resistance movements, and the practical challenges of transitioning to a stable social
order.
In conclusion, the thesis reevaluates the applicability of Locke's right to revolution in Ethiopia,
emphasizing the need for a distinction understanding of resistance that incorporates the concept
of communal rights. It proposes future research directions that integrate indigenous political
philosophies and interdisciplinary approaches, offering valuable insights beyond the Ethiopian
context.
Keywords: John Locke, right to revolution, social contract theory, Ethiopia, political
philosophy, resistance, legitimacy, morality, effectiveness
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Keywords
John Locke, right to revolution, social contract theory, Ethiopia, political philosophy, resistance, legitimacy, morality, effectiveness