The endless reform process: Realities behind Jordan's political modernization efforts

Abstract

AbstractThe latest royal committee headed by Samir Al‐Rifai to modernize Jordan's political system is often portrayed as a significant step toward political reform. However, this narrative overestimates the committee's impact and overlooks historical limitations and institutional obstacles to reform in Jordan. This study highlights how political reform initiatives in Jordan can be manipulated to serve the regime's objectives rather than the people's will. Historically, despite public pressure for genuine political reform, the regime's responses have been minimal. Royal committees and initiatives have rarely produced tangible results, serving more to provide the regime with narratives of superficial reform than to achieve real change.