Jordan
Jordan performs in the mid-range across all categories of the Global State of Democracy (GSoD) framework. Over the past five years, the country’s democratic performance has remained relatively stable, although there has been a decline in Freedom of Association and Assembly. Globally, Jordan is in the bottom 25 per cent of countries in multiple factors of Representation and Rights. It is a lower-middle income country, and it has a diverse, service-oriented economy that struggles with high unemployment.
The colonial history of Jordan includes Ottoman control in the 19th century and British dominion following the partition of the region by the UK and France after World War I. Since 1952, the country has been a constitutional monarchy—with regular elections and a bicameral parliament—under the rule of the Hashemite royal family. A few key fault lines drive politics in contemporary Jordan. First, while the country has a nominally representative government, power is largely exerted through royal appointments, and the media remains under substantial state influence. Along with ongoing economic challenges, this context has led many youth to question the political system's legitimacy and to call for major systemic changes. While Jordan did not witness a mass anti-regime uprising in 2011, it has experienced consistent and ongoing protests since the Arab Spring. A lack of trust in the political system, economic malaise, corruption, and other issues drive these protests; the government has responded with some socially progressive reforms while on the other hand further concentrating the King’s power.
Many of the other principle political cleavages in Jordan revolve around issues of identity. Jordan is home to a mix of ethnic and religious groups, but demographic data is inexact. By some estimates, Palestinian refugees comprise 50 per cent of the population, with the other half consisting of Arab Bedouins and Syrian refugees. Despite their numbers, Palestinians face widespread discrimination in the private sector and underrepresentation in government. Part of the reason this divide has remained so salient is that Jordanian nationalism is deeply rooted in tribal and clan identities that divide “East Bankers” (those with roots east of the Jordan River) from West Bankers, or Palestinians. Islamists (politically represented by the Muslim Brotherhood) and secularists have also been at odds with each other since Jordan's independence in 1946. The conflict between these groups involves differing views on modernization, the role of Islam in politics, civil liberties, the relationship with Israel, and relations with the West.
Furthermore, women’s rights activists point to unequal treatment by Sharia courts as a major target of reform, and only 12 per cent of Jordanian parliamentarians were women in 2021. While homosexuality is legal in Jordan, LGBTQIA+ activists highlight harassment and intimidation by the secret police as a major source of distress.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch the state of civil society, especially as the government has been criticized for cracking down on dissent, limiting freedom of speech and press, and engaging in human rights violations. At the same time, the country has seen an increase in protests and calls for reform from various civil society organizations. The political openness of Jordan and its ability to hold credible local elections is a crucial aspect that should be watched closely.
Monthly Event Reports
February 2024 | Increased crackdown on activists and protestors
Recent developments in Jordan have seen an escalation in actions against pro-Palestinian activists, with a notable increase in arrests and harassment since October. This crackdown has extended to those participating in demonstrations or engaging in online advocacy for Palestine. A significant aspect of this repression is the application of a new, controversial cybercrime law, which critics argue has been leveraged to prosecute activists and suppress dissent. Similarly, a recent investigation revealed that numerous political activists, journalists, and human rights lawyers were targeted by the government and had their mobile devices compromised by sophisticated spyware. Several rights organizations have documented these actions and raised concerns over the growing repression and constraints on essential freedoms of expression and assembly. These measures have raised alarms about the broader implications for civil liberties in Jordan, highlighting a troubling trend toward limiting public discourse and political activism.
July 2023 | Parliament approves controversial cybercrime legislation
On 27 July, Jordan's parliament passed a controversial cybercrime law which was subsequently ratified by King Abdullah II on 12 August. The legislation has received widespread criticism from opposition MPs, several rights groups, legal experts, and journalists, who argue it undermines free speech and independent journalism. The new law criminalizes certain online activities and imposes penalties for content considered harmful to national unity. Following the implementation of the law, a prominent journalist was sentenced to prison over a Facebook post expressing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the demonstrations against fuel prices in late 2022, contributing further to concerns over shrinking civic space and restricted press freedom in Jordan.
December 2022 | Violent clashes across Jordan amid protests over rising fuel prices
The rising fuel prices that have added to the cost-of-living challenges in Jordan sparked anti-government demonstrations across the kingdom. Road closures initiated by truck drivers demanding a reduction in the price of diesel fuel escalated into country-wide riots that lasted for several weeks. Deadly clashes erupted in multiple cities between protestors and police, with the killing of four policemen, in some of the worst unrest Jordan has witnessed in many years. Many Jordanians took to social media to share videos from the strike and attacks by the police on civilians. Amid heightened tensions, the government disrupted internet services and banned TikTok. Jordan’s Public Security Directorate announced a “temporary suspension” of the social media platform under the pretext of inciting violence and disorder.
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GSoD Indices Data 2013-2022
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Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time
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