ARAB UPRISINGS, DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT AND THE UPGRADE OF AUTHORITARIANISM IN JORDAN

Abstract

Despite the regional turmoil that was witnessed in parts of the Middle East and North Africa, the Arab monarchies have continued to be resilient. While the Arab uprisings shattered the dictatorial regimes of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Yemen within a year, the Arab monarchies have been able to suppress the uprisings and ensure stability. This paper examines the impact of uprisings on the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It also takes a look at different perspectives relating to the lack of democracy in Jordan and other Arab monarchies. The paper finds out that the happenings of the Arab spring in Jordan more or less did little in weakening the monarchical system but rather has led to an upgrade of the autocratic status where the powers of the monarch is not threatened but the strength and capacity of opposition groups is drastically reduced. Finally, it considers the upgrade of authoritarianism as the survival strategy of the monarch of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.