OPPapers.com

Middle East Democracy

The world is in the midst of an important political change. It is in light of a post-Cold War era, in which democracy was the ideological victor. It is now, however, that undemocratic states are increasingly pressured by the Western world to adopt democratic ways, despite the fact that many of these states' adopted democracies are highly corrupt and facades . Democracy is a hot topic, especially in the Middle East. This question is particularly interesting when asking if Islam and democracy can merge into one, and perhaps even more importantly that if they cannot which will be the victor: Islam or democracy? From this issue arises one interesting and fairly unique Middle Eastern country: Jordan. The intrigue in Jordan and its political future are spawned from an underlying dichotomy in the country between traditional Islam and progressive liberalizing activity. Firstly, the King of Jordan has fundamental roots to Islam: he is assumed to be a direct descendent of the Prophet Mohammad. Yet, despite this deep tie to Islam, the King is very progressive in his ideology in cases both of politics and economics, as he has allowed elections and is increasingly becoming part of the global economic market. Not only is the country making progressive democratic steps, but it has also developed historically good relations with the Western democratic world. It is interesting, therefore, to propose the question if Jordan is a country ripe for democracy. I propose that based upon more frequent elections with large voter turnout, increased steps to improve the economy as a free-market involved in world trade, and its historic familiarity with Western democracy that in many ways makes Jordan ripe for democracy.
Before political aspiration of democracy can be discussed, it is important to first understand the history of Jordan as a developing economic and political state. Jordan has a rich history of both royal descendents as well as a rich history of fighting for its people. The...