Jordan: Jordan and King Abdullah Essay

Mohammed Hossain
ASOC 389
Sociology of Middle East Professor Seidman
11/19/12

Reform in Jordan:
What type of government ruled existed before the revolts? Key features of society.
Who revolted—What were their class, ethnicity, religion and what were the key divisions among them?
What did they want? How did the ruling government respond to their demands of change?
Why did these revolts end in reform, not revolution?
What sorts of reforms have taken place or are taking place, and what has happened to those who south revolution?

There have been recent pro-reform protests in Jordan. This is a direct result from the Arab Spring. The Arab Spring “refers to the pro-democracy uprisings currently sweeping the Middle East and North Africa.” The uprisings have started since December of 2010. This caused the people of Jordan to demand political reforms because they are neither happy nor satisfied with the Government. The people have been experiencing harsh economic conditions and they cant tolerate it anymore. The opposition of The King, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, wants sweeping reforms, including a new electoral law that would lead to a parliamentary system of government and elected prime minister.” The King responded to this by stating, “ no one in Jordan has a monopoly on reform or its promotion. We seek a state of democracy, pluralism and participation through political reforms..away from the dictates of the street and the absence of the voice of reason. How soon before the demands would be implemented or if it would be still implemented is in the air.
The government in Jordan is a constitutional democracy. A constitutional monarchy is in which the powers of the ruler are restricted to those granted under the constitution and laws of the nation. The current head of state is King Abdullah 11 Bin al-Hussein. King Abdullah II Bin al- Hussein has been at the throne since 1999. The current Prime Minister is Dr. Abdullah Ensour and the current foreign minister in Nasser Judeh. The population is about 6 and a half million. There have been small steps toward reform. Nothing major is happening because every time there is talk of reform; it get’s pushed aside. The Government speaks about implementing new policies but it’s all talk. They make those statements to appease the public while they buy more time. Acting on their promises is constantly delayed. According to King Abdullah II Bin al-Hussein in a televised speech, “he raised the possibility of an elected government but later qualified his statement, explaining that he did not anticipate such government for at least another two or three years.” These are the tactics the government use to postpone any acts on reform. Instead of changing the policies, the government just keeps changing the people in power. It’s not effective at all. Since King Abdullah 11 Bin al-Hussein came into power in 1999, he has replaced 9 different prime ministers. He has also changed cabinet members. An alternative solution was forming reform committees. Bakhit, an East Banker was assigned by the King to the cabinet. He established the National Dialogue Committee, which is made up of “52 former and current government officials, opposition members, entrepreneurs and religious leaders.” Its purpose was to work and improve on all types of reform. Its purpose is also to go through consensus-based proposals for new electoral and political parties laws. The committee is made up of 52 government officials. As Bakhit stated “ Our mandate is to go as fast as possible in political, economic, social and administrative reform. We need to increase the pace, to send a signal that we are positive and serious about reform. Our priority is the elections law. There will be a team that will consist of a few ministers, civil society organizations, parties, professional unions, labor unions, universities, youth groups, women’s groups, academics human rights

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