The Palgrave Handbook of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Description

This Handbook presents a broad yet nuanced portrait of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, its socio-political rifts, economic challenges, foreign policy priorities and historical complexities. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has traditionally been an oasis of peace and stability in the ever-turbulent Middle East. The political ambitions of regional powers, often expressed in the form of territorial aggrandisement, have followed the Hashemites like an inseparable shadow. The scarcity of natural resources, especially water, has been compounded by the periodic influx of refugees from its neighbours. As a result, many—Arab and non-Arab alike—have questioned the longevity and survival of Jordan. These uncertainties were compounded when the founding ruler, King Abdullah I, became involved in the nascent Palestinian problem at the end of World War II. The annexation of the eastern part of Mandate Palestine or the West Bank in the wake of the 1948 War transformed the Jordanian demography and sowed the seeds of an uneasy relationship with the Palestinian component of its population, citizens, residents and refugees. Though better natural resources and stronger leaders have not ensured political stability in many Arab and non-Arab countries, Jordan has been an exception. Indeed, since its formation as an Emirate by the British in 1921, the Kingdom has seen only four rulers, a testimony to the sagacity and political foresight of the Hashemites. The Hashemites have managed to sustain the semi-rentier model primarily through international aid and assistance, which in turn inhibits Jordan from pursuing rapid political and economic reforms. Though a liberal, multi-religious and multicultural society, Jordan has been hampered by social cleavages especially between the tribal population and the forces of modernization. Front Matter ....Pages i-xxix Introduction (P. R. Kumaraswamy)....Pages 1-26 Front Matter ....Pages 27-27 From Small Sheikhdom to Over-Population (Onn Winckler)....Pages 29-47 The Foreign Workers (Françoise De Bel-Air)....Pages 49-68 Minorities (Miranda Egan Langley)....Pages 69-79 Christians in Jordan (Nanneke Wisman)....Pages 81-92 Circassians (Chen Bram, Yasmine Shawwaf)....Pages 93-113 Front Matter ....Pages 115-115 Political Economy (Imad El-Anis)....Pages 117-134 Environmental Challenges (Moshe Terdiman)....Pages 135-150 Sustainable Development (Manjari Singh)....Pages 151-164 Smoking (Sean Foley)....Pages 165-178 Front Matter ....Pages 179-179 Citizenship (Paul Esber)....Pages 181-194 Composite Nationalism Re-visited (Alexander Bligh, Gadi Hitman)....Pages 195-213 King Abdullah I (Ronen Yitzhak)....Pages 215-231 King Hussein (1935–99) (Md. Muddassir Quamar)....Pages 233-242 The Arab Legion (Graham Jevon)....Pages 243-255 Muslim Brotherhood and Salafism (Joas Wagemakers)....Pages 257-276 The West Bank Under Jordan (Avraham Sela)....Pages 277-294 Jerusalem: Hashemite Quest for Legitimacy (Yitzhak Reiter)....Pages 295-309 Jordan-Hamas Relations (Hillel Frisch)....Pages 311-322 Political Reforms (Artur Malantowicz)....Pages 323-340 The Palestinians (Donna Robinson Divine)....Pages 341-353 Front Matter ....Pages 355-355 Foreign Policy Under King Hussein (Victoria Silva Sánchez)....Pages 357-371 Foreign Policy Under King Abdullah II (Faisal Odeh Al-Rfouh)....Pages 373-392 Relations with Saudi Arabia (Md. Muddassir Quamar)....Pages 393-406 A Century of Israel-Jordan Relations (Meron Medzini)....Pages 407-420 Jordanian-Israeli Relations Under King Hussein (Russell E. Lucas)....Pages 421-433 Rabin and Hussein: From Enemies at War to Partners in Peace (Meron Medzini)....Pages 435-446 The ISIS (Tally Helfont)....Pages 447-461 National Security Priorities (Hayat Alvi)....Pages 463-475 Back Matter ....Pages 477-536