By Amer Al Sabaileh

In the current political debate, for those who are looking to the British model of Constitutional Monarchy as an example, it is important to analyze what this would entail from the perspective of Jordanian political culture.

The prerequisites for transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one can't be sidestepped if the transition is to be painless and lasting. It would be irrational and harmful to insist on a rapid transformation when the basic criteria for the functioning of constitutional monarchy are lacking. It seems that sometimes we forget that, before jumping in, we first need all the time it takes for the building of political awareness. This does not imply that people should refrain from calling for reform. However, we should keep our feet firmly on the ground and adopt a reform agenda that clearly defines the gradual process leading up to a cession of certain powers.

A rapid transition from absolute monarchy to the kind of constitutional monarchy we are talking about in Britain entails a level of political maturity, integration, political pluralism and above all, an active political culture which is well-rooted in a multi-party system. With this in mind, let's examine the Jordanian situation. Before 1956, the Jordanian vote was based on ideological lines which meant they were ready to adopt a complete model of constitutional monarchy which we call a "Limited Monarchy". There were the ideological conditions and maturity to contemplate the kind of progressive reforms we are talking about today. In 1956 political parties were banned and with them, the chance for a more progressive regime.

Since then, people have had to look for a different kind of representation and in our case it was not the state they turned to, but the tribe or family.

The consequence today is that, unfortunately, if people continue to judge themselves and others on ethnic, tribal, religious or geographical criteria, we are certainly not ready to adopt the British model. It would be inconceivable for British citizens to ask Tony Blair or Gordon Brown if they were originally from Durham or London before casting their vote. They want to know if they are Labour or Conservative and how they plan to address the pressing issues of the times. Their choice will depend on ideological issues and concrete solutions. On the contrary, in Jordan the key factor in our political culture is tribal heritage, which means Jordanians will vote according to their geographic-ethnic background rather than national or ideological issues and how to address them. This is surely a recipe for disaster as the fragmentation of wider issues and national identity into purely tribal questions, cannot but chaos.

Although we need time to evolve a sound constitutional democracy, this does not mean we should not expect it in the future and starting laying the foundations now. Our people are waiting today for the state to propose a reform agenda. We have to keep in mind that who waits today might not wait for tomorrow. If the government procrastinates any longer it will be interpreted as a sign that they have no clear vision as to how to conduct the reform. In the absence of clear directives there are other powerful actors who are willing and ready to step in with their proposals, they will ask the state to adopt them, and it is not difficult to predict the confusion and chaos that will set in if this happens.

Everyone has their ideas of how reform should be effected. Those who just insist on a British model that does not really reflect the Jordanian reality are holding back the advocates of a more realistic reform which is in line with the specific nature of our society. The point is here, not just where we want to arrive, but how we are going to get there. There are those who believe that the first step to change is through free and open elections. In this case we have to focus on the fundamental questions of who will propose the law, what form it will take and the mechanism it will provide.

It is always useful to consider examples of best practices to learn from the experience of others. However, we should tailor our reforms to the specific nature of Jordanian culture and society and act when the time is ripe. We have to choose the right model and adapt it to our own specific needs. The British model is not the only one and perhaps we should look outside this and start with a gradual plan of reform leading up to the French style of choosing the Prime Minister as a first step. “A Prime Minister chosen from within an elected parliament.”

Dr. Amer Al Sabaileh

http://amersabaileh.blogspot.com