ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Imperial and the Derg regimes in light of land reforms and taxation. The period leading up to the socialist revolution was marked by contention between the conservatives (amongst whom were majority MPs) and the progressives on issues of land reform. The socialist revolution, therefore, marked a break from tradition that dismantled the power of princes and nobles who had taken control of the parliament as well as abolished the feudal land system. In 1974, the land reform took place under the auspices of a military committee rather than a popularly elected parliament. The Derg was neither interested in a constitution, nor was it curious to inaugurate a parliament. A character shared between the Imperial parliament and Shengo was that both were gifts to the people by sovereigns, the first being an imperial sovereign and the second a military one. The language of the emperor’s speech as well as the constitutions clearly conveyed that without the will of the emperor neither a constitution, a parliament nor an election would be possible. It was more subtle for the Derg. The military government refused to pursue the formulation of a constitution and the practice of regular elections for 13 years from 1974 to 1987. The Shengo lasted from 1987 to 1991, ushering in a new era of national and global politics.
