Ethiopia's federal system is organized along ethnic lines, and whether that has been a good or bad thing for the country is the subject of much debate. In this episode, we'll discuss the history of how Ethiopia became a state and the pros and cons of ethnic federalism.

People in this episode:Dr. Tsega Gebreyesus Global health researcher Ethnicity: Tigrayan-American Dr. Ezekiel GebissaProfessor of History and African Studies at Kettering UniversityEthnicity: OromoDr. Weldu WeldeyesusLanguage instructor at the Community College of DenverEthnicity: Tigrayan Dr. Paulos MilkiasPolitical science instructor at Concordia UniversityEthnicity: Oromo

Dr. Edmond KellerProfessor at University of California, Los AngelesLong-time commentator and observer of Ethiopian history and politics

 Dr. Yohannes GedamuLecturer of political science at Georgia Gwinnett CollegeBorn in Gonder in the Amhara regionDr. Asebe Regassa DebeloAssistant professor of development studies at Dilla University, EthiopiaEthnicity: OromoMohamed OladEthnicity: Somali

Tewodrose Tirfe Co-founder of the Amhara Association of AmericaDeacon Yoseph Tafari  Member of the formerly exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Holy SynodChariman of the Ethiopian American Civic Council

Photo: From the top left to right, Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, the late Prime Minster Meles Zenawi, and Emperor Haile Selassie. From the bottom left to right, Emperor Yohannes IV, General Ras Alula Engida, and Emperor Menelik II.Read the transcript here.