Jordan's Politico-Economic Reforms

Paper Summary:

The research paper explores the possibilities of Jordan's adopting a liberal democratic system of government within the context of the political and economic reforms it is currently undertaking. To the outside observer, and as affirmed by political analysts, Jordan has an authoritarian system of government. Yet, the country's leadership claims that it is instituting political and economic reforms that aim towards the liberalizing and the democratizing of Jordan. Through a review of Huntington's theory that liberal democracy can emerge from authoritarian systems through gradual political reforms that slowly open up the country and relax the government's control over political rights and freedoms, this paper determines whether or not this is the case with Jordan. In other words, the paper discusses the economic and political status of Jordan and tries to determine the aim of reforms and their ultimate consequences and goals.

From the Paper:

"By the time of his death, King Hussein had ruled over Jordan as its absolute monarch for almost half a century. He had guided the country through the long years of the Arab-Israeli conflict, had survived coup d'etats against him, and had often entered into serious political disagreements with other Arab political leaders. Probably, his worst political decision had been to support Saddam Hussein in face of his invasion of Kuwait. For that, the Gulf leaders never forgave him. However, ultimately, and according to the pro-King Hussein political commentators, he left his son a stable country, at peace with its neighbours, especially Israel, and on the brink of economic and political reform (Abdullah). In other words, according to this analysis of the political and economic status of Jordan at the time that King Abdullah took over the government, the outlook was positive. However, before establishing this outlook as an objective and accurate analysis of Jordan's political and economic situation at the time of King Hussein's death, it needs to be emphasized that this is the opinion voiced by his son, King Abdullah. Therefore, it is hardly objective and, quite possibly, inaccurate."

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