This research examines the elements of national power in Ethiopia. Considered are factors related to geography, econom ics, national psychology, military power, and international relations. Probable Ethiopian positions on significant current issues in international relations are also assessed.
Ethiopia is an arid mountainous country located in north eastern Africa, east of the Sudans, north of Kenya and Somalia,with a northeast border along the Red Sea. If the country pos sessed significant military power and the will to act, its position along the Red Sea would permit it to effectively interdict traffic through the Red Sea between the Suez Canaland the Indian Ocean. Throughout its history, Ethiopia has had neither the power nor the desire to initiate such action. The only natural resource of any consequence found in Ethiopia is petroleum. With an annual capacity of 750,000 tons of crude petroleum extraction, the resource is important to the country; however, it is relatively insignificant at the worldlevel. The country's generally hostile climate, however, does support a viable coffee plantation industry. Coffee exports are
1 2vital to the country's economy, providing approximately 70 per cent of foreign exchange earnings (Paxton, 1989).
Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries on earth (The World Bank, 1989). In late 1985 and early 1986, the attention of the world was drawn to the pathetic spectacle of millions of people starving in Ethiopia. The situation was presented in great detail on television screens around the world on a daily basis. Rock and roll concerts were organized in various coun tries to raise funds to help the hungry in Ethopia. Mother Theresa was trotted onto the world stage to proclaim that hunger was caused by the forces of evil, and the Reagan Admin istration in Washington identified the forces of evil as Marx ist devils, proclaiming that hunger in Ethopia was the fault of the socia...