The Future of the Protest Movement in Jordan

{
  "authors": [
    "Marwan Muasher"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Arab Awakening"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "Jordan",
    "Levant"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Economy"
  ]
}

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.

Recent Work

Q&A
The Myriad Problems With the Iran Ceasefire
- +1
  Amr Hamzawy, Andrew Leber, Eric Lob, …
Commentary
The Iran War Is Uncovering the Weakness in U.S.-Gulf Ties
- Marwan Muasher

Political Reform Economy Middle East Jordan Levant

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.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Paper
From Trade Dependence to Geopolitical Leverage: The EU in an Era of Weaponized Interdependence
As geopolitical rivalry weaponizes global supply chains, the EU’s true vulnerability lies in emerging-risk imports. For these goods, suppliers are growing more concentrated, substitution more difficult, and political risk is looming.
Sinan Ülgen
Commentary
Next Steps Toward Peace After the Armenian Elections
It’s time to build momentum, and Ankara is the venue of the next opportune diplomatic window to do this.
Alper Coşkun, Garo Paylan
Commentary
Strategic Europe
European Security Strategy: In Search of a New Ambition
The EU is putting together a new security strategy to meet today’s myriad challenges. But for any proposal to be effective, the union needs to grapple with its identity and ambitions.
Pierre Vimont
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Will Russia–Armenia Relations Improve Following Pashinyan’s Re-Election?
For all the menacing rhetoric, the Armenian prime minister remains a leader with whom Putin is prepared to interact: not as an ally, but as a partner, albeit a problematic one.
Alexander Atasuntsev
Commentary
Emissary
Washington and Tehran’s Very Dangerous Moment
The Islamic Republic’s words and actions suggest that it has changed its approach to both diplomacy and war.
Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Europe trade economy container supply chains

Paper

From Trade Dependence to Geopolitical Leverage: The EU in an Era of Weaponized Interdependence

As geopolitical rivalry weaponizes global supply chains, the EU’s true vulnerability lies in emerging-risk imports. For these goods, suppliers are growing more concentrated, substitution more difficult, and political risk is looming.

Sinan Ülgen

Pashinyan surrounded by supporters while speaking to reporters

Commentary

Next Steps Toward Peace After the Armenian Elections

It’s time to build momentum, and Ankara is the venue of the next opportune diplomatic window to do this.

Alper Coşkun, Garo Paylan

Commentary

Strategic Europe

European Security Strategy: In Search of a New Ambition

The EU is putting together a new security strategy to meet today’s myriad challenges. But for any proposal to be effective, the union needs to grapple with its identity and ambitions.

Pierre Vimont

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Will Russia–Armenia Relations Improve Following Pashinyan’s Re-Election?

For all the menacing rhetoric, the Armenian prime minister remains a leader with whom Putin is prepared to interact: not as an ally, but as a partner, albeit a problematic one.

Alexander Atasuntsev

Commentary

Emissary

Washington and Tehran’s Very Dangerous Moment

The Islamic Republic’s words and actions suggest that it has changed its approach to both diplomacy and war.

Mohammad Ayatollahi Tabaar