The Future of the Protest Movement in Jordan

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In The Media

The Future of the Protest Movement in Jordan

The protest movement in Jordan is fundamentally about opening the political system in Jordan, not economic grievances.

By Marwan Muasher

Published on Feb 10, 2011

Source: France 24

The unrest in Tunisia and Egypt has sparked protest movements throughout the Arab world. In Jordan, protesters have called for a serious political reform process. Marwan Muasher explained to France24 that, since King Abdullah II has come to power, he has presided over seven different governments, each charged with implementing reform and each failing to do so. The political and business elites of the country have worked hard to maintain Jordan’s status quo, Muasher said, and “serious efforts that would widen decision making processes and institute checks and balances have been blocked along the way.”

The Jordanian government's efforts to subsidize basic foodstuffs and raise public-sector wages will not be enough to ameliorate the calls for serious political reform, Muasher said. The economic measures taken by the government in Jordan are only addressing one of the protesters’ grievances. Ultimately, Muasher concluded, these protests are about political reform and democracy, not the economy.

About the Author

Marwan Muasher

Vice President for Studies

Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications.

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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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