Constitutional Monarchy In The Middle East: A Country Overview

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy in the Middle East, officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe and is considered one of the safest and most hospitable countries in the region. Jordan has a king, currently Abdullah II, and a prime minister. The king holds wide executive and legislative powers, serving as the head of state and commander-in-chief. He appoints the prime minister and heads of security directorates, and has the power to dissolve parliament and dismiss the government. While Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, the king's extensive powers set it apart from the strictly constitutional monarchies of Europe. Kuwait, another Middle Eastern country, is also considered one of the region's freest countries in terms of civil liberties and political rights, with a secular court system.

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Jordan is a constitutional monarchy with a king and prime minister

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, with a king and a prime minister. The current king of Jordan is Abdullah II, who has been sovereign since the death of his father, King Hussein, in 1999. The prime minister of Jordan as of September 2024 is Jafar Hassan.

Jordan is officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, having become an independent state in 1946. It is a relatively small country with a population of around 9.5 million. Sunni Islam is the dominant religion, practiced by around 92% of the population, and coexists with an indigenous Christian minority. Jordan is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The king of Jordan holds wide executive and legislative powers. He serves as the head of state and commander-in-chief, and appoints the prime minister and heads of security directorates. The king may also dissolve parliament and dismiss the government at his discretion. In addition, the king appoints and may dismiss all judges by decree, approves amendments to the constitution, declares war, and acts as the supreme leader of the armed forces. The king exercises his power through the government he appoints, which is responsible before the Parliament.

Jordan's Parliament consists of two chambers: the upper Senate and the lower House of Representatives. The Chamber of Deputies is elected by the people and has 138 members, while the Assembly of Senators has 65 members appointed by the king. The prime minister is free to choose his own cabinet and regional governors.

The Jordanian king holds wide executive and legislative powers

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, with a king (currently Abdullah II) and a prime minister. The Jordanian king holds wide executive and legislative powers. He is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Jordanian Armed Forces. The king appoints and may dismiss all judges by decree, approves amendments to the constitution after passing by both parliaments, declares war, and acts as the supreme leader of the armed forces. The king may also dissolve parliament and dismiss the government at his discretion. He is also responsible for appointing the prime minister and the directors of security agencies, as well as the members of the upper house, the Senate, and the members of the Constitutional Court. The Jordanian king has significant influence over the affairs of the country and exercises his power through the government he appoints, which is responsible before the Parliament.

The Jordanian king's wide executive powers are demonstrated in his ability to declare war, dissolve parliament, and dismiss the government. He also holds legislative powers, including approving amendments to the constitution and issuing cabinet decisions, court judgments, and the national currency in his name. The king's role as commander-in-chief of the Jordanian Armed Forces further highlights his executive authority.

The prime minister, appointed by the king, leads the Cabinet. While the prime minister is free to choose his own cabinet and regional governors, the king's influence extends to approving amendments to the constitution and issuing decisions in the name of the Cabinet. The Jordanian king's legislative powers are further evident in his role in appointing members of the Constitutional Court and approving amendments to the constitution.

The Jordanian monarchy, known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is not merely ceremonial. The king's wide executive and legislative powers set him apart from typical constitutional monarchs, as he both rules and reigns. This unique combination of powers has led to Jordan being described as a "parliamentary monarchy." The king's influence is such that it is challenging for a party to gain power solely through elections, and his authority extends to appointing the heads of security directorates and declaring war.

The current king, Abdullah II, ascended the throne in 1999 after the death of his father, King Hussein. Abdullah II has continued to hold significant power and influence, including liberalizing the economy, which led to an economic boom. He has also focused on modernizing the military and enhancing Jordan's international relations, particularly with Israel and the United States. Abdullah II's reign has been marked by his ability to balance the country's stability and security with economic reforms and regional challenges.

Jordan is considered one of the safest countries in the Middle East

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy and is considered one of the safest countries in the Middle East. It is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Jordan has a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes, such as Jerash, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea, which have been well-preserved, with numerous archaeological and religious sites to explore. The country has a high Human Development Index, ranking 99th, and is considered a lower middle-income economy. Jordan's law enforcement ranks 3rd in the Middle East and the country is also classified as having a skilled workforce, making it attractive to foreign investors.

Jordan has a population of around 9.5 million, with Sunni Islam being the dominant religion, practiced by around 92% of the population. It coexists with an indigenous Christian minority. The country is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors with its modern infrastructure and well-developed health sector, which also makes it a popular destination for medical tourism. The tourism sector is considered a cornerstone of Jordan's economy, providing a large source of employment, hard currency, and economic growth. The country is home to around 100,000 archaeological and tourist sites, including the iconic Petra, one of the new seven wonders of the world.

Jordan has a stable political environment and effective security measures, with a strong military that enjoys support and aid from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. The Royal Jordanian Army is considered one of the most professional and well-trained in the region. Jordan has also signed a peace treaty with Israel, further contributing to its stability. The country has avoided long-term terrorism and instability, which has affected some of its neighbouring countries.

Despite its positive reputation for safety, Jordan has faced economic challenges due to a lack of natural resources, a large influx of refugees, and regional turmoil. The country has accepted refugees from almost all surrounding conflicts as early as 1948, with approximately 2.1 million Palestinians and 1.4 million Syrian refugees residing there. Jordan's tourism industry has also been impacted by regional turbulence, such as the Arab Spring, resulting in a significant decrease in tourist numbers in the past. However, efforts to revive the tourism sector, such as the establishment of the Jordan Trail, a 650 km hiking trail, showcase the country's commitment to overcoming these challenges.

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Kuwait is among the Middle East's freest countries in terms of civil liberties and political rights

Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy that is considered one of the freest countries in the Middle East in terms of civil liberties and political rights. The country's constitution was promulgated in 1962, and it ranks highly in regional metrics of gender equality, with the highest Global Gender Gap ranking in the region. Unlike other Gulf states, Kuwait's court system is secular, and it does not have Sharia courts.

In terms of civil liberties, Kuwait has made significant strides, particularly in the area of freedom of expression. However, there have been reports of restrictions on government critics and repression of those who speak out against the authorities, particularly on issues related to the Bidun, Kuwait's native stateless population. Kuwait's stateless population, the Bidun, has faced discrimination and activists advocating for their rights have been arrested and prosecuted. Additionally, Kuwait's media laws criminalize criticism of the emir, crown prince, and Islamic religious figures, and require state permission for publishing ventures.

Regarding political rights, Kuwait has a relatively open system compared to other countries in the region. The country holds elections and has a parliament that wields some power, as evidenced by the cabinet's resignation under parliamentary pressure in January 2023. However, there are concerns about the influence of non-elected individuals and restrictions on opposition figures. Kuwait's political rights and civil liberties are not absolute, and there are ongoing efforts to balance them with other priorities, such as national security and social stability.

While Kuwait is considered one of the freest countries in the Middle East, it is important to note that the region as a whole has struggled with backsliding on political rights and civil liberties in recent years. According to the Freedom in the World report, only one country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Iraq, scored higher on political rights and civil liberties compared to a decade ago, and the improvement was marginal. The majority of countries in the region have been consistently classified as "Not Free", with only Israel currently holding the "Free" designation.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, where the king is his own prime minister

Jordan is a constitutional monarchy, with a king and a prime minister. The king of Jordan holds wide executive and legislative powers. He serves as the head of state and commander-in-chief and appoints the prime minister and heads of security directorates. The prime minister is free to choose their own cabinet and regional governors.

Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is an absolute monarchy, where the king is his own prime minister. The country is ruled by the Saud dynasty, a family whose status was established by its close ties with and support for the Wahhabi religious establishment. Islamic law, or Sharia, is the primary source of legislation. The Quran and the Sunnah (the traditions of Muhammad) are declared to be the country's constitution. The king combines legislative, executive, and judicial functions. The monarch is both the final court of appeal and the dispenser of pardon.

While Saudi Arabia has a Basic Law of Government, it does not have a written constitution. This Basic Law was issued by the king in 1992 and provides guidelines for how the government is to be run, as well as setting forth the rights and responsibilities of citizens. It also bans the formation of political parties and sanctions sedition and condemnation of the king.

In practice, major policy decisions in Saudi Arabia are made outside formal governmental structures and not solely by the king. Decisions are made by establishing a consensus within the royal family and considering the views of important members of Saudi society, including the ulama (religious scholars), leading tribal sheikhs, and heads of prominent commercial families.

Saudi Arabia is unique in giving the ulema a direct role in government, with only Iran as another example. Royal succession and all new laws are subject to the approval of the ulema. The ulema have also influenced major executive decisions, such as the imposition of the oil embargo in 1973 and the invitation of foreign troops in 1990.

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