This graduation project examines the influences of Islamic powers on democracy in Jordan. The Middle East is in upheaval, especially the Arabic Spring has contributed to question and reorganize society structures. While democracy and human rights take an increasing role in the global context, this seems not to be the case in the Arabic World. In the case of Jordan, the country presents itself as a constitutional monarchy within a democratic system. The constitution guarantees Western liberal democratic freedoms. Anyhow, in practice, they are rarely implemented.
The royal house strives to present the society as modern and democratic and pursues specific interests by that. Anyhow, examining the factors that define democracy, one has to raw the conclusion that society structures in Jordan are authoritarian and undemocratic. This paper examines the (un)democratic structures of Jordanian society while especially focusing on the Islamic groups in Jordan.
It analyses the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood and their corresponding political party IAF (the biggest Islamic party in Jordan) in parliament, on political reforms, on the Arabic Spring, on the role of woman in society, on the account of middle class and on the relationship of the party towards the central government. By that, it is going to become clear that IAF and Muslim Brotherhood scarcely influence political reforms in Jordan. Also in the resistance movement of the Arabic Spring in Jordan, Islamic groups had only a marginal impact. The former cooperation of the IAF with the Hashemite regime, which was based on grounds of common interests, came to rest. Experts fear an escalation with a possible radicalization of Islamic powers. Endeavours to establish more democratic structures have been disrupted.
It seems to be the most important challenge of the time of the entire Arabic World to take Islamic movements serious and to integrate them, while simultaneously pressing ahead with endeavours to democratize society.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
1.1 Definitions
1.1.1 Democracy
1.1.2 Islam and Islamism
2 The Jordanian State and Government and its (Non-) Democratic Structures
2.1 History and Political Development since Establishment of the State 1922
2.2 Political System and Democratic Structures
2.2.1.1 The Government
2.2.1.2 The Election System
2.2.1.3 Ethnic demography and the Middle Class
2.2.1.4 Civic Participation
2.2.1.5 NGOs in Jordan
2.2.1.6 Human Rights in Jordan
2.2.1.7 Women in Jordan
2.2.1.8 Freedom of Opinion & Media
2.2.1.9 Summary: Democratic Structures in Jordan
2.3 The Relevance of External Actors for Jordan
3 The Islamist Movement in Jordan
3.1 History since the Foundation of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1945
3.1.1 The Palestinian Issue
3.1.2 Establishment of the Islamic Action Front (IAF)
3.1.2.1 Islamic Action Front – Representation in Parliament
3.1.2.2 The Party’s Objectives
3.1.2.3 Methodology and Organizational Structure
3.1.2.4 The Relevance of the Islamic Center Charity Society (ICCS) in Jordan
3.1.2.5 Internal Rivalries of the IAF
3.1.2.6 Women and Women’s Issues in the IAF
3.1.2.7 Democracy as a Tool to Gain Power?
3.2 Evolution of the Brotherhoods Discourse - From Alliance with the Government to Crisis
3.2.1 The Change in the 90s and the New King Abdullah II
3.2.2 The Palestinian Issue and Hamas
3.3 Protest Movement in Jordan and the Arab Spring
3.3.1 The Role of the Middle Class in Arab Spring
3.4 The Islamists Influence on Political Reforms
3.5 Relationship between State and Islamists nowadays
4 Conclusion and Outlook
Objectives and Topics
This project examines the influences of Islamic powers on democracy in Jordan. It addresses the central research question whether the Islamist movement in Jordan acts as a threat or an obstacle to democratization, or if it instead promotes democratic development within the state. The study analyzes the historical context, the political system of Jordan, and the role of the Muslim Brotherhood and its political wing, the IAF.
- The (un)democratic structures of the Jordanian state and society.
- The historical relationship between the Hashemite regime and the Muslim Brotherhood.
- The impact of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) on political reforms and parliament.
- The role of Islamic movements during the Arab Spring and their influence on the middle class.
- The evolving discourse of the Brotherhood regarding democracy and national identity.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2.7 Democracy as a Tool to Gain Power?
The question that arises which is discussed consistently by analysts is whether alliances of Islamists with secular and ideological different parties are a sign of a political evolution in the Islamists practice, or whether they are just short or medium term "political tactic" to help them gain their long term goals. Has the Brotherhood actually gone through an ideological and historical process in order to reach these convictions, or are these declarations recognizing democracy merely a part of a pragmatic strategy to benefit from the historic conditions and prevailing political environment in the region?
Rumman declares critically that even if one were to disregard the historical experiences of Islamists in authority, recent developments do not support the Islamists' claims. He mentions the most recent example of the experience of Islamic movements in 'power' in Iraq, who had also previously declared a commitment to democracy and a 'civil' state. Their 'practices' conformed to only the most basic, rudimentary standards and showed little to no respect for other doctrines such as religious and political pluralism. In fact, their behavior, once in power, has substantiated the claims of the opponents and critics of Islamists and political Islamic movements.
Rumman mentions further that the same case had applied to Hamas. The conduct of Hamas when dealing with the 'other' - with political opponents and the media - after their takeover of the Gaza-Strip, has raised definite skepticism with regard to their 'recognition and acceptance' to the tenets of modern democracy. Human rights organizations were reporting the excesses of Hamas in power.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of the democratization status in Jordan and sets the research focus on the influence of Islamic movements.
2 The Jordanian State and Government and its (Non-) Democratic Structures: This section explores the historical and political development of Jordan, highlighting its authoritarian features and the role of the monarch.
3 The Islamist Movement in Jordan: This comprehensive chapter details the history, organizational structure, and internal dynamics of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Action Front (IAF).
4 Conclusion and Outlook: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, concluding that while the Islamists are integrated, their impact on democratic reform remains limited and their trajectory continues to be a challenge for the region.
Keywords
Jordan, Democracy, Democratization, Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic Action Front, IAF, Hashemite Regime, Arab Spring, Middle Class, Political Reform, Islamist Movement, Shura, Parliamentary Elections, Authoritarianism, Civil Society
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the political influence of Islamic movements, specifically the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Action Front (IAF), on the process of democratization in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
What are the primary thematic pillars of the study?
The work covers the political system of Jordan, the evolution of the Brotherhood's discourse, the impact of the Palestinian issue, the role of women in the IAF, and the movement's actions during the Arab Spring.
What is the main hypothesis of this graduation project?
The author hypothesizes that the Islamist movement in Jordan, despite various challenges and controversies, actually promotes democratization.
Which scientific methods were applied?
The project employs an analytical approach, reviewing existing political literature, electoral data, and parliamentary records to evaluate the relationship between the state and Islamic political actors.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body investigates the history of the Muslim Brotherhood since 1945, the establishment and performance of the IAF, the impact of internal rivalries, and the state's strategies for managing political dissent.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
Key terms include Jordan, democracy, Islamist movement, Muslim Brotherhood, IAF, Arab Spring, and political reform.
How does the Palestinian issue influence the political standing of the IAF?
The Palestinian issue is central to the IAF's identity; it allows the movement to integrate Palestinian interests within the Jordanian political landscape, though this often creates tension with the government's foreign policy.
What role does the Islamic Center Charity Society (ICCS) play?
The ICCS serves as the charitable arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, enabling the movement to maintain strong grassroots support and social influence despite its limited power in formal parliament.
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- Uta Freyer (Autor:in), 2017, Democracy and Islam in Jordan, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/366026
