Abstract
The 1993 National Population Policy of Ethiopia: The guiding theories
(Terefe Degefa, PhD)
Center for Population Studies, College of Development Studies,
Addis Ababa University, Email: TerefeD@yahoo.com
Abstract
The National Population Policy of Ethiopia was finalized in 1993. The pace of its implementation has however been slow. It is posited that the theoretical basis of the policy could have played an important role in slowing implementation. A discourse analysis of the content of the policy document is made to analyze theories that guided the policy per se. The roles of global theories expressed as pessimistic and optimistic discourses influence policymaking. However, the former (neo-Malthusianism), which claims that rapid population growth is a menace to development processes, has had the upper hand in Ethiopia, regardless of the resistance it receives. This resistance indicates, it is argued, an obvious need for rigorous research to initiate debate and establish consensus, and in this way allow the cultivation of homegrown theoretical frameworks that could provide guidance to the policy and enhance its implementation activities.
Key words: Population policy, theory, discourse, discourse analysis, theoretical frameworks, homegrown theoretical framework.
(Terefe Degefa, PhD)
Center for Population Studies, College of Development Studies,
Addis Ababa University, Email: TerefeD@yahoo.com
Abstract
The National Population Policy of Ethiopia was finalized in 1993. The pace of its implementation has however been slow. It is posited that the theoretical basis of the policy could have played an important role in slowing implementation. A discourse analysis of the content of the policy document is made to analyze theories that guided the policy per se. The roles of global theories expressed as pessimistic and optimistic discourses influence policymaking. However, the former (neo-Malthusianism), which claims that rapid population growth is a menace to development processes, has had the upper hand in Ethiopia, regardless of the resistance it receives. This resistance indicates, it is argued, an obvious need for rigorous research to initiate debate and establish consensus, and in this way allow the cultivation of homegrown theoretical frameworks that could provide guidance to the policy and enhance its implementation activities.
Key words: Population policy, theory, discourse, discourse analysis, theoretical frameworks, homegrown theoretical framework.
confirm funding
Event ID
17
Session
Paper presenter
54 250
Type of Submissions
Regular session only
Language of Presentation
English
First Choice History
Initial First Choice
Initial Second Choice
Weight in Programme
1 000
Status in Programme
1