The aftermath of the Middle East's two waves of mass uprisings has
raised significant questions about the role of democracy in the region. Many
now point to democracy's inability to address ongoing economic challenges, a
sentiment widely shared among Arabs today. According to data from the Arab Barometer,
57 percent of Arabs agree that "under a democratic system, the country's
economic performance is weak," compared to 28 percent in 2013.
اضافة اعلان
However, despite its flaws, democracy remains highly desired, with
nearly three-quarters of Arabs believing it is a better system than others, as
indicated by Arab Barometer data. Therefore, if democracy were to be given
another chance, the question arises: which type of democracy is best suited for
the region, and how should transitions be managed?
The case for Jordan
Recent changes in laws and regulations in Jordan aim to enhance the
quality of public participation, particularly among youth and women, with a
focus on political parties. However, entrusting political parties in Jordan
with such a pivotal role faces two interrelated challenges.
While new provisions allow Jordanians, including university students, to engage in party activities in public spaces, including campuses, without restrictions, a survey by NAMA Strategic Intelligence Solutions and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) reveals that 60 percent of university students believe that authorities would question them if a party member called for a public political event on a university campus.
First, there is a long-standing perception that public spaces are
unwelcoming to political parties. This perception traces back to Martial Law,
which banned political activity for three decades until 1992, and its effects
still linger. While new provisions allow Jordanians, including university
students, to engage in party activities in public spaces, including campuses,
without restrictions, a survey by NAMA Strategic Intelligence Solutions and
Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) reveals that 60 percent of university students
believe that authorities would question them if a party member called for a
public political event on a university campus.
Second, political parties suffer from low levels of public confidence.
According to a survey by NAMA and the International Republican Institute (IRI),
only 15 percent of Jordanians express a high or moderate level of confidence in
political parties, making them the least trusted institution out of 19 public
institutions.
Moreover, Jordanians are four times more likely to participate in social
events, especially tribal or familial obligations, than in political events.
Traditional forms of participation, such as voting, garner significant
engagement, driven by socio-cultural obligations. However, this engagement
often appears civic but is influenced by non-choice-based factors like
geography, demographics, and tribal affiliations.
Primordial civility: the missing piece to
advancing democracy
Historically, the region, including Jordan, has adopted a Western-style
democracy and imposed it on a given country. This approach views democracy as
rugged rather than adaptive, overlooking existing social participation
dynamics. Therefore, the focus should shift from merely democratizing Jordan to
Jordanizing democracy by aligning democratic principles with the way
individuals interact with existing systems, leveraging their socio-cultural
exceptionalism and primordial ties.
Assuming the universality of democratic ideals, importing them without
integrating them within existing primordial linkages not only undermines
democracy but also exposes fundamental knowledge gaps among its promoters.
Unlike advanced democracies that have evolved over time to meet the needs of
individuals more efficiently, Middle Eastern societies, including Jordan,
remain deeply rooted in traditional-survivalist quadrants, characterized by
extended families or tribes relying on the state for services.
Interest groups, whether political parties or civil society
organizations (CSOs), struggle to integrate into these dynamics, not due to
restrictive regulations but because of a mismatch between their purpose and
local community needs. Therefore, an alternative pathway emphasizing primordial
civility must be explored.
The way forward
Newly regulated political parties, along with CSOs and donor
institutions, should prioritize the effective integration of traditional
groups, especially tribes. Tribes, with their socio-cultural influence on
public participation, present an opportunity for democratization rather than a
hindrance. Their open channels of communication enable members to freely
express their views, including towards their leaders, holding them accountable.
Newly regulated political parties, along with CSOs and donor institutions, should prioritize the effective integration of traditional groups, especially tribes. Tribes, with their socio-cultural influence on public participation, present an opportunity for democratization rather than a hindrance. Their open channels of communication enable members to freely express their views, including towards their leaders, holding them accountable.
Operationally, tribes can act as intermediaries or quasi-local councils,
facilitating communication between local communities and political parties,
CSOs, and state institutions. Empowering tribes to encourage public
participation lays the groundwork for civic engagement. Tribes, when given
agency, can hold parties and CSOs accountable for their promises, fostering
competition for public support.
Building proper linkages between political parties and tribes within the
inclusive social accountability cycle is crucial. Parties should engage
directly with tribes to understand their challenges and present policy
propositions for feedback before gauging support. Parties need to develop
skills in outreach, canvassing, and effective campaigning with clear policy
goals and participatory action plans, supported by CSOs and donors.
This transitional approach may not create a fully flourishing democratic
system but can surpass past failed attempts by establishing an effective system
for participation, representation, and competition—three key components of
successful governance. Concerns regarding the exclusion of women and minorities
within a system rooted in primordial civility are valid. However, many advanced
democracies have faced similar challenges and can provide transferable
approaches for Jordan. This baseline can pave the way for civil society to
advocate for the rule of law and civil liberties as Jordan charts its unique
path.
Mohammed Abu Dalhoum is the president of MENAACTION and a
senior research analyst at NAMA Strategic Intelligence Solutions.
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