Theory – Experience – Reflection.

Theory – Experience – Reflection is a foundational learning cycle often used in education, leadership development, and transformative practices. It describes how knowledge is deepened and internalised through a dynamic process that connects abstract understanding with real-life application and critical thinking. 

1. Theory

This is the conceptual or academic knowledge—principles, models, or ideas you learn through books, lectures, or formal education. It provides a framework for understanding the world or solving problems.

Examples:

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (psychology)

Liberation Theology (religious studies)

Oromummaa as an ideology (Afaan Oromo philosophy)

2. Experience

Theory is tested or lived out in real-life situations. This includes direct actions, challenges, interactions, or decisions that expose the theory to practical realities.

Examples:

Applying conflict resolution strategies in a community dispute

Leading a team using servant leadership principles

Practising Safuu in an Oromo social setting

3. Reflection

This is the critical thinking stage. After experiencing a situation, you pause to analyse what happened, what worked, what didn’t, and how the theory helped or failed. Reflection helps in connecting the dots between theory and lived reality.

Questions to ask:

What did I expect based on theory?

What actually happened?

What insights can I draw from this?

How does this shape my future actions or understanding?

Example from Leadership Context:

Theory: “Leaders should inspire through vision.”

Experience: You try to motivate your team during a crisis with a compelling speech.

Reflection: The team didn’t respond as expected; you reflect and realise that trust and listening were more critical than just vision-sharing in that moment.

Importance of the Cycle:

Encourages deep learning (not just memorisation)

Builds adaptive wisdom

Strengthens the connection between knowledge and practice

Promotes personal and professional growth.

Let's apply the Theory—experience—reflection cycle to Political Development in Ethiopia. This method helps us understand how Ethiopia’s political journey has unfolded, where things have gone wrong or right, and what lessons can guide the future.

1. THEORY

Political development theory refers to models and frameworks that explain how states evolve politically, including democratisation, nation-building, state capacity, governance, participation, and legitimacy.

Key Theoretical Concepts relevant to Ethiopia:

Modernisation Theory: Suggests political development follows economic development and leads to democracy.

State-building Theory: Focuses on establishing a functioning, legitimate state structure with the rule of law, institutions, and monopoly of violence.

Federalism and Multi-ethnic Democracy: Political systems that manage diversity through autonomy and shared power.

Social Contract Theory: Legitimacy is built when rulers protect citizens' rights in exchange for loyalty.

2. EXPERIENCE (Ethiopia’s Political History)

Now let’s connect these theories to significant political developments in Ethiopia:

a. Imperial Era (Before 1974)

Theory Applied: Centralised monarchic state-building.

Experience: Strong monarchy under Emperor Haile Selassie; limited modernisation; exclusion of most ethnic groups and regions.

Result: Unequal development, lack of political participation, and eventual uprising.

b. Derg Regime (1974–1991)

Theory Applied: Marxist-Leninist revolutionary transformation.

Experience: The State attempted radical land reform and nationalisation. Violent repression, Red Terror, centralised authoritarianism.

Result: Economic collapse, civil war, loss of legitimacy.

c. EPRDF Era (1991–2018)

Theory Applied: Ethnic federalism + Revolutionary Democracy.

Experience: Constitutionally recognised ethnic groups with regional autonomy. However, power was centralised in the TPLF-led coalition; elections were symbolic.

Result: Relative economic growth but rising ethnic tensions, lack of democracy, and authoritarian control.

d. Abiy Ahmed Era (2018–Present)

Theory Applied: Pragmatism and "Medemer" (synergy).

Experience: Promises of reform, but collapse of EPRDF, civil war, and return to centralised control. Emergence of the Prosperity Party.

Result: Deterioration of stability, erosion of federalism, worsening ethnic conflict, rhetorical use of "miracles" and "unity" to justify power

3. REFLECTION

Through critical reflection, we ask: What has Ethiopia learned (or failed to learn)?

a. Theory-Practice Gap

Ethnic federalism promised inclusion but lacked institutional balance.

Democratisation was discussed but not practised.

Prosperity rhetoric masks elite-driven power centralisation.

b. Missed Opportunities

Lack of commitment to real decentralisation, justice, and dialogue.

Over-reliance on military solutions instead of civic engagement.

Confusion of party ideology with national interest.

c. Key Lessons

Inclusive governance requires more than theoretical commitment—it needs mechanisms for power-sharing, dialogue, and justice.

Sustainable political development must balance unity and diversity.

Rhetoric without results undermines public trust—Abiy’s "miracle" politics echo the illusion of positive thinking disconnected from reality.

Final Thoughts:

To move forward, Ethiopia needs a new political theory grounded in experience and reflection—a model that:

Builds institutions over individuals

Embraces both diversity and accountability

Promotes social contracts based on mutual respect, not domination

Learns from past mistakes through honest national reflection