| Absolute monarchy (1270–1931) Unitaryparliamentaryconstitutional monarchy (1931–1974) | |
 TheLion of Judah—emblem of theEthiopian Empire | |
| Formation | 1270 |
|---|---|
| Extinction | 12 September 1974 |
| Country | |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature |
|
| Executive branch | |
| Yekuno Amlak (first) (1270–1285) | Emperor |
| Haile Selassie (last) (1930–1974) | Emperor |
| Headquarters |
|
| Main organ |
|
TheGovernment of theEthiopian Empire[4] was historically based on the framework ofabsolute monarchy with a feudal system, where religious legitimacy and the wealthier class were often prioritized. Societies were characterized bysocial inequality and opportunities for social mobility through military performance. There werefamines, droughts and illegitimate land acquisition from peasants and landowners.
UnderEmperorMenelik II, Ethiopia became a centralized state under a multiethnic empire with over 80 ethnic groups despite having ShewanAmhara dominance. Ethiopia was then modernized by EmperorHaile Selassie after his coronation in 1930, introducing two constitutions: one in1931 and a revised version in1955. The system was unitary and parliamentary, with the legislature divided into the Chamber of Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.
Historically, the northernEthiopian plateau used an authoritarian fashion; their rulers infused religious legitimacy (theOrthodox Church) and their wealth derived from agricultural production.[5] The societies were hierarchically stratified, featuringsocial inequality and opportunities for social mobility through successful military performance. Land always has been the most valuable resource, and acquisition became the main driving force behind imperialism, especially during the reign ofMenelik II.[6]
Feudalism was a predominant sociopolitical and economic order in Ethiopia for many years. In this system, society was classified by wealth, especially land acquisition, where landlords own large amounts of land.[7] In a modern sense, the landlords were capitalist farmers, and the landless class was growing.Famines may surge in this process.[8] UnderMenelik's Expansions (1878–1904), Ethiopia became a multiethnic empire with shared states. Menelik formed a more centralized government within a delimited boundary by the 1900s.[9]
Amharic became the central language of the Empire until the 20th-century reforms of Haile Selassie. Shewan Amhara's dominance starting from the 19th century has been viewed by other prominent ethnic groups like Tigrayans and Oromos as oppressive, characterized by mass forced land acquisition. The emperor also had the right to direct and create a professional and salaried army. Traditionally, the Ethiopian soldiers were provided by regional lords in times of war. These soldiers were not paid but had to live with what they could acquire from the local population during military campaigns. He further pushed for a centralized command government and initiated paying a salary to the soldiers.[9]
In few years after the coronation in 1930,EmperorHaile Selassie took an initiative that replaced traditional, decentralized governance and began modernizing the country.[9]
The1930 Constitution of the Ethiopian Empire vested executive legislature to the Chamber of Senate and Chamber of Deputies in the imperial promulgation. These chambers had no members in the revisited1956 Constitution—shall meet at the beginning and end of each session, on some occasions upon the emperor's call. The President of the Chamber shall preside over all joint meetings. TheImperial Parliament of Ethiopia (Amharic: የኢትዮጵያ ንጉሠ ነገሥት ፓርላማ) was thebicameral legislature of theEthiopian Empire from 1931 to 1974. It consisted of the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, and the upper house, the Senate. The legislature was established in the1931 Constitution, and all members were appointed, primarily by theEmperor of Ethiopia. TheEthiopian Parliament Building was the meeting place of the imperial parliament.
The Constitution defined that theemperor constituted the Chamber of Senate (Yeheggue Mewossegna Meker Beth) and Chamber of Deputies (Yeheggue Memeriya Meker Beth).
The revisited1955 constitution (or second Constitution) was promulgated on 4 November 1955, comprising 131 Articles.[13] The Constitution introduced elections to the lower chamber. This Constitution was important to reduce the power of regional warlords and consolidate the imperial power.[14] The two Constitution vested power to the Chamber of Senate (Yeheggue Mewossegna Meker Beth) and Chamber of Deputies (Yeheggue Memeriya Meker Beth).[4][15] Under the 1955 constitution Article 56, no one can be simultaneously a member of the Chamber of Deputies or Senate, marking their meeting at the beginning or end of each session.[16] The two chambers shall meet at the beginning or end of each session. Under the circumstances in Articles 90 and 91, on some occasions, upon the emperor's call, the President of the Chamber shall preside at all joint meetings of the Chambers.[17] Elections of Chambers of Deputies members run on the normal expiry date of their term of office.[18]
The Senate,Yaheg Mawos sena Meker-beth, was established in 1931. Initially, its members were appointed, and they came from the nobility, the aristocracy, cabinet ministers, and civil servants.[19] The chamber was reformed in the 1955 constitution so that aristocrats appointed the members. In 1974, there were 125 members in the chamber.[20]
The Chamber of Deputies,Yaheg Mamria Meker-beth, was established in 1931. Initially, the members were chosen by theEmperor of Ethiopia, the nobility and the aristocrats.[19] The 1955 constitution reformed the chamber, and members were to be elected. In 1974, there were 250 members in the chamber.[20]
