The Jordanian experience with political liberalization. (c2009)

Abstract

This thesis examines the political liberalization process in Jordan since 1989. It first analyzes the steps undertaken by the late king Hussein, who responded to the riots of 1989 by measured dozes of political liberalization (instead of repression.) It then considers how the political liberalization process unfolded during the reign of Hussein's son, king Abdallah II. The thesis argues that political liberalization process in Jordan has brought some changes to the Kingdom, primarily the lifting of martial law, a more vibrant civil society and the holding of periodic parliamentary elections. Yet this process has not fundamentally changed the nature of the Jordanian political system, which still does not meet fully the criteria for democracy.