Jordan: Living in the CrossfireJordan has played a bigger role in Middle Eastern affairs than its size and economy might warrant, due to its huge Palestinian population, its strategic location between Israel, the West Bank, Syria and Iraq, and its uniquely close relationship with successive British and US administrations. Drawing on numerous visits to the country and interviews with a diversity of people from King Abdullah down, Alan George describes how its reasonably stable monarchical system, unlike that in most Arab countries, has allowed the halting development of civil society and maintained control through the skilful co-option of opponents rather than heavy-handed reliance on its secret police. What is daily life like? How do its parliamentary system and political parties work? How free are the media? What are the future prospects of this buffer 'state without a nation'? |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
Jordan under King Hussain | 21 |
Jordan under King Abdullah II | 47 |
Abdullah bin alHussain King | 83 |
Barjas alHadid Tribal Shaikh | 93 |
Rajai Khoury Businessman | 103 |
Abu Muhammad Taxi Driver | 123 |
Awad ashShubaiki Farmer | 133 |
Anisa Salim Refugee | 143 |
The Royal Family and the Royal Court | 155 |
Parliament and Parties | 173 |
The Legal System | 190 |
The Media | 206 |
Jordans media211 Legal constraints 213 Informal | 218 |
The Future | 240 |
252 | |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Amman appointed Aqaba Arab army attack Barjas British called camp cent Centre Chapter civil close continued Court crisis culture democracy Department East economic elections establishment explained father February forces foreign former freedom Hashemite head Higher Human Rights independent International Interview with author Iraq Islamic Islamists Israel Israeli issue Jordan Jordanian July June King Abdullah King Hussain kingdom limits live London major March meeting military minister months moved Muhammad nationalist noted November October official opposition Palestine Palestinian parliament parties peace political population president prime minister Prince problem programme regime region relations returned Royal rule September society Studies Syria town tribe United University week West Bank