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This work introduces an alternative paradigm that claims that the primary industry of imperial Ethiopia has been (and still is) one that has evolved around the Abyssinian national mission vis-a-vis the populations it rules from a point of conquest. Abyssinia, like Catholic Spain in the Americas, carried out a series of 'civilising' missions (Christianising), that has spanned centuries to modern times. Around a theocratic mission evolved a service type industry, the author calls theo-industry. On that basis, the work demonstrates how well-known categories of 'land-tenure', namely, the gult/goolt, the gultenya/gooltenya, the rist, the ristenya, the gabbar and related others are categories of a fiscal system of theo-industry, not of an agrarian system or agrarian industry. It is argued how these rather complex categories belong in the realm of wages and pensions of a service-type industry, not in those of agriculture. By failing to establish the functional link between agriculture and the national mission of the rulers, the scholars of Ethiopian studies have so far been unable to identify this 'elusive' but all-pervasive primary industry of Ethiopia. That in turn, the author argues, has had a rub-off effect in hindering a clear and comprehensive understanding of issues such as poverty and famine. The central topic of this work is the 'identification' of this 'elusive' industry. The study of its evolution, set in historical grounds, of its dynamics and the intricate maze of multi-natured relations is attempted. On this basis, the option of creating an independent (from theo-industry), and more importantly, renewable agricultural industry is proposed as the key to tackling chronic levels of poverty and famine in Ethiopia / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Due to the fact that Scripture is the authoritative Word of God (Belgic Confession. Article 5), the infallible written Word of God. is and stays the basis for Christian ethics. Scripture is not just another single source for Christian ethics among other sources, but it is the decisive source among all other sources. The question then arises - how is it possible in the ever-changing life situation of the modem day context of society? In an ever increasing secularized society places the Christian life and also the Christian ethics under more pressure. The acceptance of the authority of Scripture is therefore indispensable for Christian ethics. Scripture does however not present a text as an absolute answer for every possible or similar ethical problem. The deep-seated principles of Scripture must be exposed. From these principles norms should be derived that is applicable to the modem problem. The problem statement that follows from this culminates as the following: Can a thematic analysis of the Biblical dogma present a fundamental working foundation for Christian ethics in modem day society and serve as a corrective for the problematic approaches of a biblicistic as well as an over critical view of Scripture for the basis of ethics? The central theoretical argument of the study is the following: A thematic analysis of the Biblical dogma can indeed present a fundamental, working foundation for Christian ethics in modem day society and can serve as a corrective for the problematic approaches of a biblicistic as well as an over critical view of Scripture for the basis of ethics. In the second chapter the definitions of what could be defined as Christian ethical perspectives and principles is examined. In other words, the purpose of the chapter is to examine and to give a broad overview of the understanding of ethics, morality, morals etc. The qualified deontological approach is chosen due to the fact that normative approach with its focus on Scripture as authoritative therein plays a big role. The third chapter focuses on which view of Scripture and use of Scripture is normally applied in Reformed ethics in the use or interpretation of Scripture. Special attention is given to the authority of Scripture, view of Scripture and an attempt is made to convey the hermeneutical points of departure (axioms) in order to derive an intra-biblical use of Scripture. The chapter comes to the conclusion that even though the Christian ethicist does have in theory at his disposal a biblical-founded hermeneutical model it does not safeguard him against a faulty use or interpretation of Scripture in practice in the fourth chapter the present-day Scriptural principles that serves as basis and cadre for the interpretation of Scripture in light of the answering of Christian ethical questions is examined. In light of the present-day situation seems that although there is a sound hermeneutical axiom that serves as filters in the interpretation of Scripture in the reformed ethics, in practice either a biblicistic or a Criticism of Scripture approach to Scripture is chosen. The approaches of the fundamentalistic/biblicistic and Criticism of Scripture is examined and m e s to the conclusion that both, in their own way, does bring the authority and the message of Scripture in disrepute. In the event of the fundamentalistic and biblicistic approach the divine inspiration character of Scripture is overemphasized and all Scriptural Utterances is treated on the same level to such an instance that everything is sanctioned. In the event of the Criticism of Scripture the human fallible character is again overemphasized to the extent that the normative authority of Scripture for Christian ethics is not taken into account . The chapter comes to the conclusion mat a "third way” must be examined to circumvent the many pitfalls of either a fundamentalistic/biblicistic of Criticism of Scripture in the interpretation of Scripture in light of a modem day ethical problem. In the fifth chapter an adjudication and evaluation of the quality of the use or Interpretation of Scripture in light of capital punishment within the biblical view of a right to life is given as a representative of modem day ethical problems. In light of the principles given in Chapter 3 and 4 it is shown that Scripture is most often misused despite fair hermeneutical principles Only to reflect the ethicist own preconceived ideas. The last chapter indicates an approach that might possibly serve as an alternative/valid use or interpretation of Scripture in reformed ethics other than a typical biblicistic/fundamentalistic or Criticism of Scripture approach. The chapter draws to the conclusion that the contextual-paradigmatic approach is at this time the only capable approach of acknowledging the proper interpretation of Scripture to shed some light on the ethical problems of modem day society, without stepping into the boundaries of either a biblicistic/fundamentalistic of Criticism of Scripture interpretation of Scripture. The contextual-paradigmatic approach succeeds in preventing the ethicist to misinterpret Biblical texts that seems to be of importance to the debate of capital punishment and to make a scientific contribution lo important debates in South Africa today, especially those related to the interpretation of the Bible and its use in the development of South Africa. In this way an attempt is made to contribute towards and to provide guidelines for a healthy and responsible society and for the functioning of Christians within the current South African state. The message of the Bible must thus be established in a responsible and valid way, and communicated effectively to society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

Thesis (Ph.D. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

Due to the fact that Scripture is the authoritative Word of God (Belgic Confession. Article 5), the infallible written Word of God. is and stays the basis for Christian ethics. Scripture is not just another single source for Christian ethics among other sources, but it is the decisive source among all other sources. The question then arises - how is it possible in the ever-changing life situation of the modem day context of society? In an ever increasing secularized society places the Christian life and also the Christian ethics under more pressure. The acceptance of the authority of Scripture is therefore indispensable for Christian ethics. Scripture does however not present a text as an absolute answer for every possible or similar ethical problem. The deep-seated principles of Scripture must be exposed. From these principles norms should be derived that is applicable to the modem problem. The problem statement that follows from this culminates as the following: Can a thematic analysis of the Biblical dogma present a fundamental working foundation for Christian ethics in modem day society and serve as a corrective for the problematic approaches of a biblicistic as well as an over critical view of Scripture for the basis of ethics? The central theoretical argument of the study is the following: A thematic analysis of the Biblical dogma can indeed present a fundamental, working foundation for Christian ethics in modem day society and can serve as a corrective for the problematic approaches of a biblicistic as well as an over critical view of Scripture for the basis of ethics. In the second chapter the definitions of what could be defined as Christian ethical perspectives and principles is examined. In other words, the purpose of the chapter is to examine and to give a broad overview of the understanding of ethics, morality, morals etc. The qualified deontological approach is chosen due to the fact that normative approach with its focus on Scripture as authoritative therein plays a big role. The third chapter focuses on which view of Scripture and use of Scripture is normally applied in Reformed ethics in the use or interpretation of Scripture. Special attention is given to the authority of Scripture, view of Scripture and an attempt is made to convey the hermeneutical points of departure (axioms) in order to derive an intra-biblical use of Scripture. The chapter comes to the conclusion that even though the Christian ethicist does have in theory at his disposal a biblical-founded hermeneutical model it does not safeguard him against a faulty use or interpretation of Scripture in practice in the fourth chapter the present-day Scriptural principles that serves as basis and cadre for the interpretation of Scripture in light of the answering of Christian ethical questions is examined. In light of the present-day situation seems that although there is a sound hermeneutical axiom that serves as filters in the interpretation of Scripture in the reformed ethics, in practice either a biblicistic or a Criticism of Scripture approach to Scripture is chosen. The approaches of the fundamentalistic/biblicistic and Criticism of Scripture is examined and m e s to the conclusion that both, in their own way, does bring the authority and the message of Scripture in disrepute. In the event of the fundamentalistic and biblicistic approach the divine inspiration character of Scripture is overemphasized and all Scriptural Utterances is treated on the same level to such an instance that everything is sanctioned. In the event of the Criticism of Scripture the human fallible character is again overemphasized to the extent that the normative authority of Scripture for Christian ethics is not taken into account . The chapter comes to the conclusion mat a "third way” must be examined to circumvent the many pitfalls of either a fundamentalistic/biblicistic of Criticism of Scripture in the interpretation of Scripture in light of a modem day ethical problem. In the fifth chapter an adjudication and evaluation of the quality of the use or Interpretation of Scripture in light of capital punishment within the biblical view of a right to life is given as a representative of modem day ethical problems. In light of the principles given in Chapter 3 and 4 it is shown that Scripture is most often misused despite fair hermeneutical principles Only to reflect the ethicist own preconceived ideas. The last chapter indicates an approach that might possibly serve as an alternative/valid use or interpretation of Scripture in reformed ethics other than a typical biblicistic/fundamentalistic or Criticism of Scripture approach. The chapter draws to the conclusion that the contextual-paradigmatic approach is at this time the only capable approach of acknowledging the proper interpretation of Scripture to shed some light on the ethical problems of modem day society, without stepping into the boundaries of either a biblicistic/fundamentalistic of Criticism of Scripture interpretation of Scripture. The contextual-paradigmatic approach succeeds in preventing the ethicist to misinterpret Biblical texts that seems to be of importance to the debate of capital punishment and to make a scientific contribution lo important debates in South Africa today, especially those related to the interpretation of the Bible and its use in the development of South Africa. In this way an attempt is made to contribute towards and to provide guidelines for a healthy and responsible society and for the functioning of Christians within the current South African state. The message of the Bible must thus be established in a responsible and valid way, and communicated effectively to society. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Ethics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006

Cette recherche se donne pour objet d’étudier une théorie récente, très discutée à l’heure actuelle, à savoir l’émergence des ‘‘ intellectuels intermédiaires ‘’ dont la finalité était un encouragement à la démocratie en Iran à partir des années 1990 jusqu’à nos jours. Ce courant d’idées, même s’il n’a jamais été perçu comme parfaitement structuré, comporte des spécificités concrètes qui la distingue des générations d’intellectuels précédentes, de sorte qu‘on pourrait dire que cette nouvelle génération de par ses idées, réflexions et par son engagement social, pose les bases d’une refondation de la notion et de l’identité de l’intellectuel en Iran. Il en émerge alors une nouvelle substance de l’intellectualité qui engendre, au fur et à mesure de son évolution, un passage des intellectuels classiques et ambitieux (« d’avant-garde ») aux intellectuels intermédiaires.La première partie de cette étude s’articulera autour de l’analyse et de la présentation du discours des quatre générations d’intellectuels, du contexte de leur apparition en Iran, et tout particulièrement de celle des intellectuels intermédiaires. Ensuite, nous aborderons les différents aspects et les nombreux facteurs qui ont permis la naissance de ce mouvement avec une attention tout d’abord pour les facteurs externes ; l’influence de l’environnement international et des différents écoles de la pensée, l’apparition de nouveaux discours sur la modernité puis sur la postmodernité, , l’accélération de la diffusion de leurs idées à travers l’usage d’internet et des réseaux sociaux (qui tissent et renforcent les liens entre les différentes forces sociales). Puis dans un second temps nous nous intéresserons aux facteurs internes; l’épreuve de bouleversements politiques choquants, entrainant un regard plus critique que les discours précédant et la mise en avant de valeurs démocratiques depuis les mouvements réformistes apparus pendant les années 1996 et 1997. Ces changements sociopolitiques sont pour beaucoup dans l’affaiblissement du courant des « intellectuels religieux ».La deuxième partie de cette étude portera sur les trois axes, autour desquels les intellectuels, au cours de l’histoire des idées en Iran, ont conçu les interactions sociales : Occident, état, et religion. Ils s’efforceront tout le long de l’histoire iranienne de répondre à des questions ayant trait à ces trois thèmes. Les réponses des intellectuels intermédiaires ont rencontrés beaucoup de succès en proposant des réponses à de réelles inquiétudes sociales. En effet, ils ont réussi à schématiser des plans d’action pour atteindre leurs objectifs et à mettre en relief une dimension plus pragmatique de la société iranienne contemporaine. On n’a pas souvent pu en dire autant pour les générations précédentes d’intellectuels.Le but principal de cette recherche est d’étudier comment ces intellectuels intermédiaires fondent leurs convictions et leurs actions, avec en toile de fond une marche déterminée vers la démocratie. La démarche de ces intellectuels est marquée par cet engagement pour la démocratie, et la coexistence des différents courants d’idées dans la société iranienne. Pour ces intellectuels toutes réflexions ou action doit prendre en compte le caractère indissociable des notions de démocratie, d’occident et de religion au sein d’une sphère politique ou l’état possède tous les attributs de la souveraineté. D’ailleurs leur orientations se conforment à la plupart des principes démocratiques; la tolérance, la liberté de pensée, la liberté d’expression et le pluralisme, le sécularisme, la souveraineté du peuple, le droit de citoyenneté, le dialogue entre tous les force sociales, une société libre et sans censure. Ce contexte sera abordé au cours de la dernière partie de la recherche. / The aim of this research is to study a recent theory, much discussed at present, namely the emergence of "intermediary intellectuals" whose purpose was to encourage democracy in Iran from the 1990s to the present. 'nowadays. This stream of ideas, even though it has never been perceived as perfectly structured, has concrete specificities that distinguish it from previous generations of intellectuals, so that one could say that this new generation by its ideas, reflections and by its social commitment, lays the groundwork for a refoundation of the notion and identity of ‘the intellectual’ in Iran. Eventually, a new form of intellectuality emerges that gradually witnesses the creation of an evolution in itself which is a transition from classical and ambitious ("avant-garde") intellectualism to the intermediary intellectualism. The first part of this study will articulate the presentation as well as the analysis of the discourse of four generations of intellectuals, the context of their appearance in Iran, and especially that of the intermediary intellectuals. Then we will discuss the different aspects and the many factors that led to the birth of this movement with the main focus laid on external factors; these factors include the influence of international environment and different schools of thought, the appearance of new discourses on modernity followed by postmodernity, the acceleration of the diffusion of their ideas through the use of the Internet and social networks (which weave and reinforce the links between the different social forces). This part will be followed by a focus on internal factors such as shocking political upheavals, leading to a more critical perspective and the promotion of democratic values since the reformist movements that appeared during the years 1996 and 1997. One of the reasons for these socio-political changes is the weakening of the notion of "Religious intellectualism" which is happening along the mentioned changes. The second part of this study will focus on the three axes around which intellectuals, during the history of ideas in Iran, have conceived social interactions: the West, the state, and religion. They will strive throughout Iranian history to answer questions related to these three themes. Intermediary intellectuals' responses have been very successful in providing answers to real social concerns. Indeed, they have succeeded in schematizing action plans to achieve their goals and highlighting a more pragmatic dimension of contemporary Iranian society. It has not often been said so for previous generations of intellectuals. The main purpose of this research is to study how these intermediary intellectuals base their convictions and actions, against the backdrop of a determined march towards democracy. The approach of these intellectuals is marked by this commitment to democracy and the coexistence of different currents of ideas in Iranian society. For these intellectuals all reflections or actions must be taken in light of the inevitable essence of the notion of democracy, the West and religion within a political sphere where the state has all the attributes of sovereignty. Moreover, their orientations conform to most democratic principles, such as tolerance, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and pluralism, secularism, the sovereignty of the people, the right of citizenship, dialogue among all social forces, and a free and uncensored society. This context will be addressed during the last part of the research.