The impact of the Arab Spring on the Jordanian political reform process

View/ open
Author
Al-Shoukeirat, Rasmi
Date
2016Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This research investigated recent Jordanian reforms arising from the ‘Arab Spring’. There were no large-scale protests, though political, social and economic reforms were externally-induced and internally-inspired.
Jordan is atypical of reforms in Arab regimes and exemplifies characteristics that have shaped the trajectory of Arab regimes reforms. A different pattern emerged reflecting a gradual reform process that disguises the gap between rhetoric and actuality. Reforms were undertaken to pursue modernisation with a hybrid style of democratisation.
This research used the testimony of Jordanian key informants to place in context the unique features of Jordanian society. A qualitative methodology, using semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and secondary sources was used to explain the reform process, as influenced by political party leaders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), diplomats and senior government officials.
The findings characterises the Jordanian reform process as the Liberal Jordanian Leadership Theory. Liberal Jordanian Leadership is a style of governance maintained by the Monarchy which balances the political and social measures necessary for long-term stability by combining internal and external factors influencing the contemporary reforms. These factors are the Arab Spring, the social media, MB, CSOs, Jordan’s political parties, US foreign policy, regional factors and the Monarchy.
Consequently, the constitution and economic plans have adapted to the new challenges. The result is a break with historical tradition and more dynamic Jordanian political process. Political reform in Jordan was supported by the Regime since the beginning of the ‘Arab Spring’. In this, Jordan is unique, as it experienced a process of reforms and achievements reflecting its specific history, government system, economy and society.
Description
PhD Thesis - School of Management
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, subject and abstract.
-
Performance appraisal in Higher Education Institutions in the Kurdistan region: The case of the University of Sulaimani
Ahmed, Najih (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2016)In contemporary society, nation development relies heavily on the presence and availability of human resources/capabilities. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are vital to create of this human resource. The Kurdistan ... -
A Critical Conceptualisation of Leadership and Organisational Change: The Case of Royal Jordanian Airline
Obeidat, Basil (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2020)This present thesis is based on the critical conceptualisation of leadership and organisational change. Leadership is an action of the leading group of the people and company. It is a practical skill and research area that ... -
How has the economic crisis affected tourism in Greece?
Moschidou, Christina (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2014)The economic crisis that started in 2007 and had previously affected a large part of the world reached Greece in 2009, leading to a series of reforms and repercussions that affected not only Greece, but also the rest of ...