Partners for Progress and Modernization: Rise and Fall of United States of America’s Soft-Power Relations with Ethiopia

Abstract

This is a brief historical analysis of U.S. -Ethiopian relations for progress and modernization that lasted for more than 70 years and produced many tangible and significant outcomes for the benefit of both countries. What began as people-to-people contacts led by Africans in the Diaspora in the 19^th century had risen to one of the friendliest official relations that the U.S. has had with an African country in the twentieth century. The paper highlights the various accomplishments that the bilateral relationship produced and makes a critical appraisal of how new patterns that had emerged after the mid- 1970s were less favourable for America’s soft-power resources for Ethiopia.

Keywords: United States, Ethiopia, soft-power, partnership, progress, development