دور المشاركة السياسية لطلبة الجامعات الأردنيّة في تعزيز العملية الديمقراطية: دراسة حول انتخابات مجلس اتحاد الطلبة في الجامعة الأردنية لعام 2024

Lubna Sameer Bayouq

doi:10.35516/Hum.2025.8570

Authors

Lubna Sameer Bayouq Department of Political Science, Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II School of International Studies, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3540-1906

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2025.8570

Keywords:

Political participation, democratic practices, student union elections, University of Jordan

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate differences in the levels of political participation and democratic practices among students at the University of Jordan based on various factors, including gender, faculty, education level, scholarships, economic status, employment, affiliation with local organizations or political parties, and place of residence. Additionally, it sought to explore the correlation between political participation and democratic practices among these students.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed, comprising 26 items on political participation and 14 on democratic practices, and was distributed to a random sample of 370 students at the University of Jordan during the 2024 Student Council elections. The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach.

Results: Significant differences were found in political participation and democratic practices associated with scholarships (P = 0.02) and employment status (P = 0.008), with higher engagement among scholarship recipients and those who were not employed.

Conclusions: Voting among students largely remains influenced by tribal and familial affiliations, with many students not affiliated with political parties or civil society organizations. This reflects the limited impact of political parties on youth engagement. The study recommends promoting a culture of competition based on candidates’ programs and ideas rather than traditional loyalties, through raising political awareness and encouraging students to evaluate candidates based on their competencies.

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