Keys to Effective Democracy

As far as democracy is concerned, I think that there are still some steps that should be taken in time. I am particularly referring to the party system, where it is not a question of individuals but of a smaller number of parties with ideas and with plans that could excite and gain the support of many segments of the population. Then we can really have the kind of democracy that we are seeking.

In our parliamentary life, I believe the problem is that we are still waiting for matters to develop toward the formation of parties. This may take twenty years—I do not know exactly how long; however, it is a process of transition from a stage of electing an individual trusted by his fellow citizens, brothers, and kinsfolk, to a stage when this individual is part of a larger group. Consequently, voting will be for a group on the basis of the thought it offers and the policies it adopts. Frankly speaking, this cannot be achieved through twenty-three parties. We must therefore pass through the stages that will lead us to the desired ideal situation.

Address to Members of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches
Amman
May 20, 1998

Opposition can be against a position, a certain policy, or a situation. But opposition parties that follow absolute opposition to everything are, in my opinion, unacceptable and unjustifiable.

Address on the 45th Anniversary of King Hussein’s Assumption of his Constitutional Powers
Amman
May 3, 1998

We respect opposition to any position or policy. But we believe that the opinion that should prevail and be respected is that of the majority.

Address on the 45th Anniversary of King Hussein’s Assumption of his Constitutional Powers
Amman
May 3, 1998

Political parties, that have grown in number to a large extent—how will their number drop with time? How will concentration come to focus not on individuals but on policies and programs? All this will require a number of parliamentary sessions until the people realise that there is no way other than for them to reconsider, and that there can be about three parties, more or less. This is the way to rally people around programs that are suitable for the majority of them, and consequently people bear their responsibilities, and the government would come as a result of popular support for a plan and a program of action, and this would free the leadership. We are on a path that does not bear shortcuts. We must take the time to live the experience, to make mistakes, to learn from our mistakes. But as long as the objective is clear, we shall progress towards it with determination and energy.

Interview with Orbit Television
February 25, 1998

When we returned to parliamentary life after the long absence, I said it would probably take us about twenty years for things to jell up, and unfortunately I have been proven right. At a certain point we had twenty-three parties. If you want to have a system based on political parties, you need people who have thoughts and ideas and plans and programs that they can present to the voters. This has not yet happened . . . .

But if you take the whole spectrum of the opposition parties, which are trying to ally with the Islamic movement, it may come out to 10,000 out of 4 million-plus Jordanians. So political parties are not convincing as yet to the grass roots, because they lack experience and the ability to look forward. It will take time before we reduce to three or four parties to run in elections.

Interview with Milton Viorst
“The Hashemite Option”
Chapter 10 of In the Shadow of the Prophet, 1998

Every Arab citizen has the right to enjoy freedom. His rights must be respected. He must have the opportunity to participate in shaping his present and his future. He must feel safe for himself, his honor, and his dignity. He also has the right to select the platform through which to express himself, or the group which he feels would express his ambitions and ideas, in the context of responsible freedom, and commitment to the higher national good.

Address to the Meeting of Arab Political Parties
Amman
December 16, 1996

It may be high time for the Arab (political) parties, singly or collectively, to review their progress, programs, plans and methods, to make them compatible with the new phase of our nation’s history. It would be unwise for any of these parties to stay immobile, reiterating the proposals and slogans that they had declared half a century ago or longer, disregarding the events and changes that have taken place in the world during the past numerous decades. These slogans have lost their meaning and become marginal in the new era.

Address to the Meeting of Arab Political Parties
Amman
December 16, 1996

As for the process of democratization, which we have adopted as a way of life, we want it to be an example for others to follow, and a point of pride for this noble nation. We must be committed to its substance and spirit in every dispute, because freedom entails the responsibility to stop before the higher national good. Pluralism is respect for the opposite opinion, within the framework of the constitution, the laws, and true nationalism.

Address to Mo’tah University
Karak, Jordan
May, 1996

It is only a matter of time before political ranks are organized into two, three or four political groupings encompassing well-studied and convincing programs, within the context of the constitution and the National Charter, so that Jordanians can move rapidly toward prosperity and the glory of the nation. I would like to remind you of what I said when I addressed the national congress which acclaimed the National Charter: crowding impedes movement.

Address on Election Law Amendments
Amman
August 17, 1993

Let us make the next era a fruitful and effective one through parliamentary democracy, which ensures real and intelligent involvement; an era which derives its effectiveness from responsible and well reasoned dialogue, from balanced intellect and moderate views, and from the ability to distinguish that which is possible from what is illusionary, the genuine from the unreal, the national interest rather than the narrow personal or partisan interest, and to verify slogans which soothe the emotions but have little chance of implementation. Let us hope that we become fully aware of the serious national and pan-Arab responsibility as the point of departure. This ability to differentiate is the guarantee for the election of a lower house which is capable of pushing forward true democracy based on institutional participation.

Let us always remember that our homeland needs people who would tackle its problems and concerns in a rational and realistic fashion as well as in a creative and balanced way, and not those who would take it to the level of dreams and unrealistic imagination in a world of illusions and sloganism.

Address on the Eve of the General Elections
Amman
October 7, 1989

The means to public office must be as noble as the goal associated with it. Its subject should be the country's concerns and aspirations. Its content must be the most sound. Candidates should put forward effective and appropriate programs whose aim is to solve problems rather than complicate them, to tackle issues at the national level as well as the broader pan-Arab level.

Address on the Eve of the General Elections
Amman
October 7, 1989