The Hashemite Monarchy, ‘The Muslim Brothers’, and the Pseudo-Democratic System in Jordan, 1989-1997

1997-1989

Abstract

This article analyzes the characteristics of the pseudo-democratic system in Jordan and accounts for its political longevity. It argues that Jordan’s success was depended on the characters of the Jordanian regime and the personal qualifications of King Hussein on the one hand, and on the structural weakness of the Islamic opposition on the other. The article focuses on the policies of inclusion/exclusion of opposition forces (especially Islamic ones), adopted by King Hussein as a central ploy for maintaining stability in the political system. These measures attempted to achieve two conflictual goals: to control the pace of and set a ‘ceiling’ over political liberalization measures, and to avoid violent confrontation with the Islamic opposition (as occurred in Algeria between the ruling elite and the ،Islamic Salvation Front’ [FIS]).