Villagization: A case study of Ethiopia's villagization programme
Author
Holm, Mads
Term
4. term
Publication year
2016
Submitted on
2016-08-30
Pages
82
Abstract
This thesis examines villagization as a form of large-scale resettlement, focusing on Ethiopia’s contemporary villagization program. It asks whether the program—promoted as voluntary and development-oriented—actually delivers the promised socio-economic services and how implementation practices affect participants, including whether the approach is top-down or participatory. The study uses a case study design, situates the program in historical context, and assesses its official objectives through a theoretical lens (the Impoverishment Risk and Reconstruction model), government statements, international assessments, and empirical field findings presented in the thesis. The evidence indicates that the government’s success narrative does not fully hold: access to services has improved but far less than pledged; many services are absent; participation cannot be considered genuinely voluntary, and residents have little influence over the organization of new villages. This top-down implementation marginalizes participants and undermines outcomes. The thesis concludes that the program could succeed if critical elements are reformed—including more participatory approaches and fulfillment of service commitments—as many Ethiopians are willing to adopt more sustainable livelihoods given harsh environmental conditions.
Denne afhandling undersøger villagisering som en form for storskala flytning med et særligt fokus på Etiopiens nutidige villagiseringsprogram. Den stiller spørgsmålet om programmet, der promoveres som frivilligt og udviklingsorienteret, faktisk leverer de lovede socioøkonomiske ydelser og hvordan gennemførelsen påvirker deltagerne, herunder om tilgangen er topstyret eller deltagende. Studiet anvender et casestudiedesign, placerer programmet i en historisk kontekst og vurderer dets officielle mål i lyset af et teoretisk rammeværk (Impoverishment Risk and Reconstruction-modellen), regeringens udsagn, internationale vurderinger og empiriske feltfund præsenteret i afhandlingen. Resultaterne peger på, at regeringens succesfortælling ikke fuldt ud kan bekræftes: adgang til ydelser er forbedret, men langt mindre end lovet; flere ydelser mangler; deltagelse kan ikke anses som reelt frivillig, og beboerne har ringe indflydelse på organiseringen af de nye landsbyer. Denne topstyrede implementering marginaliserer deltagerne og svækker programmets potentiale. Afhandlingen konkluderer, at programmet har mulighed for at lykkes, hvis kritiske elementer ændres—herunder mere deltagende tilgange og opfyldelse af serviceforpligtelser—da mange ethiopiere er villige til at tilpasse sig mere bæredygtige livsformer givet de barske levevilkår.
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