The Impact of Popular Demands on the Jordanian State's Response to Political Reforms (1999_2021)

Walaa Ali Dardour

doi:10.35516/hum.v52i3.4268

Authors

Walaa Ali Dardour Department of Political Science, Yarmouk University, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7007-1870

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/hum.v52i3.4268

Keywords:

Jordan, political reform, democracy, movement, parties, modernization, stability.

Abstract

Objectives: The study aims to shed light on the trajectory of political reform in Jordan, understand popular aspirations and perspectives, and clarify the steps and reformist orientations declared by the state to assess the extent of the Jordanian state's response to popular demands regarding the political reform process.

Methods: The study examined political reform using three approaches: David Easton's systems analysis, which assessed inputs (popular demands for reform), outputs (official reform decisions), and feedback to gauge the Jordanian state's commitment; the decision-making approach, which focused on how decision-makers selected the best option from various alternatives after analyzing information; and the institutional approach, which reviewed texts and documents issued by various official bodies.

Results: The study concluded that numerous reform initiatives were introduced, including the formation of the "Royal Committee for Updating the Political System" on June 10, 2021. Constitutional amendments led to the creation of a Constitutional Court and an independent electoral body. However, these reforms did not meet public expectations, as there were still demands for parliamentary governments, the existence of a teachers' union, and the cancellation of special courts like the State Security Court, seen as encroachments on authority.

Conclusions: There has been progress in some aspects of the reform process, while others have not satisfied all segments of the population. Thus, the studied phenomenon had a partial impact when comparing popular reform efforts with actual official results.

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