ABSTRACT
This chapter explores two general questions, within the specific context of Ethiopia. Firstly, why should a military regime explicitly adhere to a Marxist-Leninist ideology? Secondly, what are the implications of this ideological commitment for the process of institutionalisation or demilitarisation which the regime then undertakes? In the process, the Derg and Mengistu personally have identified themselves and refined their options by reference to five critical groups of political actors, and in order to account for the peculiar nature of the Ethiopian military regime, it is necessary to look at its relationships with each of these in turn. They are firstly the ancien regime, secondly the army itself, thirdly civilian political groups, fourthly the ‘nationalities’, or ethnic and regional movements within Ethiopia, and fifthly the regime’s external allies and opponents. One of the most important features of any military regime is its relationship with its own armed forces, and in this respect the Derg was highly peculiar.
