Jordan: Constitutional Reform as a “Starting Point”

Discussing the constitutional reforms recently introduced in Jordan, Sean Yom argues that the amendments “fell far short,” and constitutional changes alone will not adequately address the impediments to democratization. He notes that “the amendments have all the hallmarks of controlled liberalization, giving just enough political leeway to blunt popular grumbling while preserving the monarchy’s authoritarian prerogative to dictate the terms of future policymaking.” Additionally, unlike in Morocco, these reforms will not be subject to a popular referendum.

Yet even more dramatic constitutional changes would not address other structural problems that have fueled popular discontent. These problems include unrepresentative electoral laws, rampant corruption, an emerging protest movement in the south, and a large unemployment rate. Despite these challenges, Jordan is not on the verge of a revolutionary crisis. The author concludes, “executing the proposed amendments is important, but they alone will not make elections more competitive, political parties any stronger, corruption less rampant or rural development more equitable.” Thus the constitutional changes must be the starting point if the regime hopes to avoid a crisis.