A century ago, a young Ethiopian-born physician returned from Europe and began working as an interpreter for the German Embassy in Addis Ababa.
Like many of his peers returning from studies abroad at the time, the young man was deeply struck by the stark contrasts between his homeland and the bustling cities of Europe. To him, the differences were irreconcilable, and he felt compelled to contribute to the modernization of a far-lagging Ethiopia.
He armed himself with ideas, challenging governors and using his writing to reach wide audiences. As a mid-level official in railways and customs, he implemented reforms that earned him the title Negadras (chief of merchants) as well as a place in the court of Emperor Menelik II.
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Though trained as a physician, Gebrehiwot Baykedagn (1886-1919) left a lasting mark as a policy strategist in his short 33 years.
He became a leading figure in Ethiopian macroeconomics and policy, authoring a seminal work in Amharic considered the ‘bible’ of economic authorship in the language.
Despite having no formal training in economics, Gebrehiwot’s ideas hold remarkable prescience.
Alemayehu Geda (PhD) is a well-known professor of economics at Addis Ababa University who has studied Gebrehiwot’s life and works and regards him as one of the pioneers in the study of development economics.
Alemayehu argues that some of the concepts of Development Economics were entertained in Gebrehiwot’s works half a century before John Keynes introduced them to the world.
Gebrehiwot wrote two influential books: ‘Atse Menelik Ena Ethiopia’ (1912) and ‘Mengist Ena Yehizb Astedader’ (posthumously published in 1924, loosely translated as ‘State and Economy’). Despite mastering Amharic in only seven months, according to Alemayehu, Gebrehiwot’s writings display exceptional language fluency, rivaling even seasoned authors.
Gebrehiwot’s writings addressed critical issues like poverty, conflict, and unjust taxation, offering insights that continue to resonate in the present day.
The latter of Gebrehiwot’s books celebrates the centenary of its publication this year, and a look back at the poignant and still-relevant passages of this landmark contribution to Ethiopian policy disclosure is warranted.
Witnessing the horrors of the Great Ethiopian Famine (1888-1892) during his childhood in Adwa, Gebrehiwot dedicated his writings to combating war, famine, and poverty. He passionately denounced Ethiopian militarism and banditry, urging the government to prioritize hard work and state support for productive citizens. His unwavering opposition to unproductive endeavors is summed up in this paragraph:
“The harsh reality discourages many from farming. Aspiring farmers are burdened: Taxes burden them before they even plant a seed, soldiers abuse their wives demanding food from them, and arbitrary demands interrupt their labor. Facing uncertainty and exploitation, farmers understandably choose to become militias, seeking escape from the backbreaking toil and exploitation on farms.”
It is an observation that still rings true in the Ethiopia of today.
Gebrehiwot’s writings scathingly criticized the Ethiopian nobility, holding their rampant banditry, unfair taxation, and entrenched patrimonialism responsible for the nation’s stagnation. He fiercely advocated for reforms, including a just taxation system, to liberate Ethiopia from these cruel realities and unlock its development potential. Similarly, he advocated for separating the state’s finances from the Emperor’s personal wealth, insisting tax revenue should solely fund the state. This aimed to dismantle the patrimonial system, replacing it with a rational administration and curbing the nobility’s exploitative power. He recognized their use of violence to extract illegal taxes and sought to limit this extortion.
Haunted by the contrast between his experience in the developed world and Ethiopia’s lagging state, Gebrehiwot, a young visionary, yearned for progress. Surrounded by those less enthusiastic about the brand of modernization he was envisioning, he tirelessly proposed ideas for advancement, all the while facing resistance and even opposition at times. But he continued to confront challenges, undeterred in his pursuit of a brighter future for his nation.
Inspired by Japan’s rapid modernization, Gebrehiwot emphasized skilled labor as a cornerstone of national development, earning him the nickname “Japanizer.”
He passionately advocated for a reformed education system to empower individuals and improve livelihoods, believing knowledge to be the “immovable law” governing progress. He persistently urged the government to study Japan’s model, highlighting his own global perspective within the Ethiopian elite. While some felt he idealized European civilization, his forward-thinking ideas continue to be debated.
Gebrehiwot’s work continues to captivate scholars across various disciplines. Historians, economists, and researchers like Shiferaw Bekele (PhD), Bahru Zewdie (Emeritus Professor), Alemyaehu Geda (Professor), Tenkir Bonger (PhD), Mesay Kebede (Professor), and Di Matteo have dedicated themselves to studying his life and ideas.
While Gebrehiwot’s views and contributions spark debate, assessments of his legacy diverge significantly. Some scholars view him as eurocentric, overly influenced by Western models. Others celebrate his originality, arguing that he drew on Ethiopian culture and assets to formulate unique development, societal, and public administration concepts. Many consider his ideas exceptional, not just within Ethiopia but on the global stage.
Proponents of Gebrehiwot’s views see his approach as innovative, not eurocentric. Scholar Di Matteo describes his vision as “sovereign modernity,” arguing that Gebrehiwot advocated for adopting European development models while safeguarding Ethiopian culture and identity. This, according to Di Matteo, represented a strategic attempt to harness the best of both worlds.
Gebrehiwot’s grasp of advanced economic concepts impressed many, earning him recognition as a pioneer in development economics, according to Alemayehu. Despite their originality, Alemayehu argues that Gebrehiwot’s ideas remain underappreciated globally. So passionate is Alemayehu about this forgotten pioneer that he’s even incorporated Gebrehiwot’s work into his syllabus, deviating from traditional courses.
Historian Bahru Zewdie features Gebrehiwot in his book ‘Pioneers of Change,’ recognizing him as a key figure in Ethiopia’s modernization process. He positions Gebrehiwot as a “mediator” between tradition and modernity, akin to Japanese scholars of the era. He portrays Gebrehiwot as someone who strived for his country’s modernization while fiercely protecting its cultural and political identity.
Critics, like Professor Mesay, argue that Gebrehiwot’s Western education led him to uncritically mimic European models, hindering him from developing a positive view of Ethiopian history and culture. Mesay suggests this “eurocentric conception” blinded Gebrehiwot to potential solutions within his own heritage, leading to “wrong remedies” despite his insights into economic dependency. They critique Gebrehiwot for ‘adopting a Western anthropologist’s perspective on Ethiopia instead of a native scholar’s lens’.
Notions of Gebrehiwot’s eurocentricity do not come from a vacuum.
“Ignorance has ruled the world, but Europe’s mind presents a rival force. Embrace it and prosper, reject it and decline. Ethiopia must accept Europe’s mind, or face destruction,” reads an excerpt from one of his literary works.
The sentiments give credence to critics who fault Gebrehiwot for seeing European civilization as a universal solution. However, they also observe that considering his European upbringing and education, the basis of his line of thinking is understandable.
Born in Adwa, Tigray, Gebrehiwot spent the first seven years of his life at a Swedish mission in Eritrea before moving to Europe as a stowaway on a ship. He studied in Austria and Germany, where he earned a medical degree. Gebrehiwot remained largely separated from Ethiopia until his late 20s, relying primarily on childhood memories to connect to his home.
The first meaningful reconnection with his homeland likely came through work interpreting for a German diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa.
Gebrehiwot was also a bitter opponent of the Fetha-Negest, the Ethiopian legal code. Though it was considered comprehensive for its time, Gebrehiwot believed adapting it to European legal structures would better serve Ethiopian society.
Given his formative years spent at a Swedish mission in Eritrea followed by schooling and education in Europe, coupled with his early professional life associated with German diplomats, Gebrehiwot’s exposure to European values and culture was substantial and likely played a key role in shaping his thinking and perspectives.
While some of Gebrehiwot’s comments may raise concerns about potential overreach or eurocentrism, and others might reflect his limitations, his prescriptions for addressing economic challenges remain relevant today.
His insights on healing Ethiopia’s economic wounds offer valuable perspectives for contemporary discussions.
Over a century ago, Gebrehiwot, then a young physician, identified conflicts, banditry, unfair taxation, and patrimonialism as enemies of development. Despite his urgent calls for reform, these very issues continue to hamper development and contribute to poverty today. His prescriptions remain relevant and still hold potential for overcoming these longstanding challenges.
“How terrible the fate of a nation living in ignorance; it will perish through time,” Gebrehiwot wrote more than 100 years ago. This imposing quote resonates louder today than it has ever before, perhaps, and urges the prioritization of knowledge and education for the nation’s prosperity.
Marking its 100th anniversary, the relevance of ‘Mengist Ena Yehizb Astedader‘ as a pioneering work of nonfiction and a thought-provoking contribution to political economy remains undeniable. Its enduring influence justifies recognition, regardless of the controversies surrounding its author and his time-tested ideas.
