Illusive reform : Jordan's stubborn stability / Julia Choucair.

"Middle East Series."

"Democracy and Rule of Law Project."

"December 2006."

Includes bibliographical references (pages 21).

Jordan's dilemmas -- Hussein's abortive political opening -- Reforms under Abdullah -- Looking ahead: prospects for political reform -- The role of external actors in promoting reform.

Since independence in 1947, Jordan has shown a remarkable ability to survive as a political entity. Surrounded by regional conflict and starved of resources, it has endured a massive influx of Palestinian refugees and numerous coup attempts. For decades, the Hashemite monarchy has overcome these political and economic storms by weakening institutionalized opposition to its rule and relying on the distribution of benefits and privileges to create a cohesive support base and a security establishment loyal to the existing political order. The regime has been able to sustain this situation by capitalizing on Jordan's geographic centrality. Benefiting from Jordan's image as an oasis of stability in a deeply troubled region, the monarchy has been able to secure a flow of external assistance that has helped counteract the lack of natural resources and maintain domestic political stability. But the balance has always been precarious. The contemporary process of political reform in Jordan must be understood in this context.