Jordan: the Impact of Party and Tribal Loyalties Since 1989
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Durham E-Theses Political participation in Jordan: the impact of party and tribal loyalties since 1989 Alazzam, Amin Ali How to cite: Alazzam, Amin Ali (2008) Political participation in Jordan: the impact of party and tribal loyalties since 1989, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/2183/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN JORDAN: THE IMPACT OF PARTY AND TRIBAL LOYALITIES SINCE 1989 The copyright of this thesis rests with the author or the university to which it was submitted. No quotation from it, or information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the author or university, and any information derived from it should be acknowledged. A THESIS SUBMITTED BY AMIN ALI ALAZZAM Thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Durham University DURHAM UNIVERSITY May 2008 0 6 OCT 2008 DECLARATION I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, nor material used in support of an application for the award of another degree or qualification to this or any other university or educational institution. I COPYRIGHT The copyright of this thesis rests with the author and no quotation from it or information derived from it may be published without written consent of the author. II ABSTRACT In the light of the internal and regional crises in the 1980s, Jordan found itself under pressure, and various ideological and political factors pushed the country towards political reform. As a result, Jordan has undergone several transformations, and a certain degree of political liberalization has made political participation the main objective of the Jordanian political system and its various institutions. This development in turn has required participation of all segments of the society, including political parties, minorities, and women. This participation demonstrates how far the political system has been liberalized. Therefore, nobody can argue that there is no political participation in Jordan. However, important questions remain. What is the form of this participation? What is its scale? What factors influence political participation, and what are its main objectives? Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the issue of political participation in Jordan. In particular, it investigated the impact of party and tribal loyalties on political participation in Jordan since 1989. This is undertaken through examining the basic forms of political participation, particularly participation in parliamentary elections. Accordingly, this study is divided into two main parts. The first part aims to shed light on the historical development of Jordanian parliament, electoral laws and systems, and political parties' participation and in addition to examine these in context of the socio-economic, political, and cultural environment. The second part was carried out through a survey involving the distribution of 400 questionnaires to five groups of political elite in Jordan. It is concluded in this study that despite the fact that political parties in Jordan date back to the establishment of the state in 1921, the social relations of kinship and the tribe are still dominant and constitute the main motives for Jordanians to participate in parliamentary elections. Several factors explain this, but it is argued here that the most important is legislations, particularly the emergency laws which have heavily restricted political freedoms and activities. Ill ABBREVIATIONS BVS Block Vote System HBM His Britannic Majesty HRO Human Right Organization IAF Islamic Action Front PCM Professional Council Members PLO Palestine Liberalization Organization PR Proportional Representation SES Socio-Economic Status SNTV Single Non-Transferable Vote TJ Transjordan TVS Two Vote System IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would first like to express my gratitude and thanks to the Almighty Allah (God) for providing me the blessing to complete this work. The completion of this work would not have been possible without the kind assistance of many people. I would like to avail this opportunity to express my gratitude towards these individuals who have offered their time and expertise to finish this work First of all, I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor, Professor Rodney Wilson, for his support and expert guidance throughout this work. His constructive and valuable advice helped me greatly at all stages to finish my research. I also owe my sincere gratitude and warm thanks to Professor G. R. Batho and Mrs H. Batho for their support and encouragement and for the warm welcome they provided me. I would also like to extend my deepest respect and unending gratitude to my family, to whom I dedicate this study for their support, encouragement, patience and love during all the years of my study. Finally, I would like to express my warmest thanks to my friends Dr Ja'afer al- Widyan, Muhammad al-Nadabi, Muhammad al-Hatamleh, and Kamel al-Ajlouni for their support, encouragement, and generous help. V This workjs dedicated to the Civing memory of my mother Haifaa Naji JfrCazzam who provided me with Cove, earliest encouragement, and -prayers, hut sadCy did not Cive to see its completion. (Dedication aCso with love and respect to my father Mi who provided me with unlimited support and prayers. I dedicate this wor^ also to my beloved wife 9A.arryam, who provided me with sacrificial support and the constant encouragement I needed to achieve my goal, and she was patient in taking care of our children during my study. I dedicated this wor^also to my beloved children (Rgham, Odaifaa, Jlbdulaah, and Mohammad who suffered as a result of my being away from them throughout my study. Lastly I dedicate this worf^ also to my brothers and sisters for their support and encouragement and who are always there when I need them. VI List of Contents ABSTRACT III LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS IV LIST OF TABLES XVI LIST OF FIGURES XX Chapter One Introduction arid Literature Review page 1.1 Objectives of the Study 2 1.1.1 Research Questions 3 1.2 The Structure of the Thesis 4 1.3 Literature Review 6 1.3.1 Democracy 6 1.3.2 Democratization, Liberalization, and Political Participation 9 1.3.3 The Concept of Political Participation 11 1.3.4 Mechanisms of Political Participation 13 1.3.5 Why Do People Vote? Theories of Political Partic ipation 17 1.3.5.1 Socio-Economic Development and Political Participation 17 1.3.5.2 Political Participation and Political Culture 18 1.3.5.3 Electoral System and Political Participation 20 1.3.6 Democracy and Political Participation 22 1.3.7 Jordan's Political Development 25 1.3.7.1 Democracy in Jordan: Literature Review 25 1.4 Conclusion 30 VII Chapter Two The Historical Development of Constitutions and Parliaments in Jordan 2.1 Introduction 32 2.2 The Establishment of Transjordan State 33 2.3 The Era of the Emirate, 1921-1946 (Creating a Government 36 in Transjordan) 2.4 The Constitutional Structure and Parliament in the Emirate of 37 Transjordan in the Mandate Period, 1923 - 1946 2.4.1 Constitutional Structure: The Organic Law of Transjordan 37 2.4.2 The Legislative Council Electoral Law, 1928 40 2.5 Legislative Elections and Political Parties Participation in the 41 First Phase 1921-1950 (Traditional Parties) 2.5.1 The First Legislative Council (1929-1931) 43 2.5.1.1 Political Parties' Participation in the First Legislative Council 43 2.5.2 The Second Legislative Council (1931-1934) 45 2.5.3 The Third Legislative Council (1934-1937) 46 2.5.4 The Fourth Legislative Council (1937-1942) 47 2.5.5 The Fifth Legislative Council (1942-1945) 48 2.6 The Era Between 1947-1950: Constitutional Structure and 48 the Jordanian Parliament 2.6.1 The 1946 Constitution 49 2.6.2 The Electoral Law, 1947 50 2.6.2.1 The First House of Representatives, 1947-1950 51 2.7 The Constitutional Structure and Jordanian Parliaments From 52 1950-1974 2.7.1 The 1952 Constitution 53 2.7.1.1 The Government in the 1952 Constitution (The Executive 56 Branch) 2.7.1.2 The Legislature in the 1952 Constitution 57 2.7.2 Jordanian Parliaments from 1950 to 1974 58 2.7.2.1 The Second Chamber of Deputies, 1950- 1951 60 VIII 2.7.2.2 The Third Chamber of Deputies, 1951 - 1954 62 2.7.2.3 The Fourth Chamber of Deputies, 1954 - 1956 64 2.7.2.4 The Fifth Chamber of Deputies, 1956-1957 65 2.7.2.5 The Sixth Chamber of Deputies, 1961 - 1962 68 2.7.2.6 The Seventh Chamber of Deputies, 1962 - 1963 69 2.7.2.7 The Eighth Chamber of Deputies, 1963 - 1966 70 2.7.2.8 The Ninth Chamber of Deputies, 1967 70 2.8 Freezing of Parliamentary Life from 1974 - 1984: The 70 Martial Law Period 2.9 Conclusion 72 Chapter Three Political Culture 75 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Concept of Political Culture