Democratic Developmentalism and Citizenship Education in Ethiopia: A Preliminary Observation Girma Defere * Abstract: The democratic developmental state ideology emerged in response to neoliberal failures. Ethiopia is now pursuing a democratic developmental state ideology to ensure simultaneously democracy and development. In the educational curriculum, civics and ethical education was introduced in the 1990s so as to promote democracy and development in Ethiopia. The main objective of this study was to assess the role of democratic developmental state, civics and ethical education in promoting democracy and development in Ethiopia. The method this study used was qualitative methods. Instruments of data collection included: interviews, observation and document analysis. The findings of this study show that democratic developmental state has brought some successes on economic growth and social services; limitations on ensuring democracy as the space for citizens political and civil society participation is limited. Regarding civics and ethical education, some successes achieved on producing informed citizenry who can defend their democratic and constitutional rights, and accept diversity; and constraints in molding the moral values of youngsters. This study suggests that, widening the space for civil society and political parties’ participation in the democratization and development of the nation, the curriculum of civics and ethical education should be revised to incorporate important issues for the development of the nation, such as, democratic developmental state and other policies philosophy as a case study so that students reflect their views. Regarding moral issues, the study found that there is moral decadence among the people which is affecting both the politics and development; hence, in order to influence the character of the young generation as the Ministry of education (2010) noted the curriculum expected to be revised should address adequately moral issues. Moreover, teaching professional ethics in all disciplines of the higher learning institutions efficiently, and working deeply on building the moral character of the wider section of the society using media, public forums, traditional and modern civic institutions so that * Girma Defere ( ) Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia e-mail: girmadejimma@yahoo.com.au AGATHOS, Volume 9, Issue 2 (17): 201-220 © www.agathos-international-review.com CC BY NC 2018