By Amer Al Sabaileh
There is no doubt that one of the most challenging points for any Jordanian reform agenda is to build a solid Jordanian national identity. In order to achieve this we have to put aside ethnic differences and diverse geographical origins to find a common identity in a "Citizen & Land" relationship based on where and who we are today. This is a far cry from what is really happening. Jordanians are suffering from a failure in the integration policy. We refer to places we hardly go to as our origins and forget the place where we were born, raised and are now living. While most of us are still living in our own spiritual ghetto, how can we expect to play the role of responsible, active citizens of our country?
Years of deep-rooted tribal questions have seen ethnic and geographical issues dominate the political scene and there is a real risk that these will undermine a healthy reform process. Until we can build real political awareness, our votes will not change anything: They will just be a predictable response generating the same old scenarios.
Firstly, we need to change the perception we have of our roots. Secondly, our new awareness should be reflected in a pluralist
political system which represents our different interests and allows freedom to participate in political life. Responsible political activism should be encouraged not stifled, especially if considered in light of the recent wave of social violence, which has been partially curtailed due to the efforts of activists.
As I mentioned in previous articles, we are still waiting to see willingness to adopt a pluralist political model that would leave the obsolete closed-door policies of a restricted elite behind and open up the door to ensure a more democratic representation of the diverse political parties present on the Jordanian scene.
We would probably feel more optimistic that steps are being taken to arrive at effective reform if not for two negative perceptions. Firstly, the people at the forefront of the debate haven't changed. This does not ensure confidence as they are the same people who played the main role in stifling the reform process before it even got started. Secondly, there is no sign of creativity or innovative methods in their proposals for reform.
So the problem remains, old or new? How do the people working for reform perceive their roles and the changes to come? At this stage, there has to be common consent that we are working together for change. To shape new policies we need new blood in the decision-making processes in order to be in touch with a reality that is far greater than just the Jordan situation, but is permeated by the chain of events in the Arab world.
A liberal interpretation of the perceptions of the young generation is that on the one hand there is a clear mandate for reform, on the other, the path to reform is still exclusively limited by the decisions of entrenched government officials who might prefer the status quo as they risk losing their influence if not. For the past 10 years there have been calls for reform but nothing has been achieved. If we are to bring the actions of government in line with the requests of our people, there has to be a change in the way our representatives are chosen or elected.
A small example: Why are Islamists and other figures who are desperately waiting for reform refusing to take part in the national committee or feel excluded? Evidently, they do not perceive that the current mechanism is opening up any doors. Even if they have a common objective, they prefer to be left out of a debate which they perceive is destined to rehash old models because the real issues are not being addressed. They simply don't feel involved and Jordanians are not prepared to accept again a scandalous election law imposed behind closed doors like the last one.
The current transformation in the Arab world is a historic conversion of what I call "the theory of two worlds in one country".
A world of young people who speak a new language, full of hope, desire to build a new future and seeking desperately to make their needs heard. The second world is the traditional conservatives who fight to maintain a status quo, as they know that any real change will exclude them from the political game and will deprive them of the benefits that come from their present status.
What is happening in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya is spreading to other countries. We can't pretend it's not influencing our own country and should be concerned to listen to our own young voices but for our own model for change. What we are saying, time and time again, with the clear mandate for change, is that there is too big a gap between theory and the people who are responsible for implementing it and we are driving in the wrong direction.
The secret to success today is not just a revolution of the traditional system of government, but a transformation in the people who represent us.
Dr. Amer Al Sabaileh
http://amersabaileh.blogspot.com
** Illustration by Sameer Ramahi/ Toonpool.com
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