Political Parties
Jordan's most executive power is the King and it is a constitutional monarchy with an appointed government. The King traditionally has held substantial power, however the democratically elected Parliament holds significant influence and power in national governance.
The reforms of 1989 legalized political parties and opposition movements. The result is over 30 political parties, but the only political party that plays a role in the legislature is the Islamic Action Front (IAF). Political parties can be seen to represent four sections: Islamists, leftists, secular Arab nationalists and liberals. Some other political parties in Jordan including the Jordanian Arab Democratic Party, Jordanian Socialist Party, and Muslim Centre Party, but these have little impact on the political process because of lack of organization and clear platforms on key domestic issues as well as differences and factions within these political parties. There is also the Hirak which is a secular youth movement that developed in 2011 in response to the revolutions sweeping the Middle East as an activist movement to push for reforms in Jordan while maintaining the Hashemite monarchy. Although an influential political force in Jordan, the Islamic Action Front is only estimated to represent 12% of Jordanians and they derive their support mainly from the urbanized Palestinian poor.
Ar RamthaAjloun
Karak Aqaba Azraq Deir Alla Irbid
Jerash Madaba Mafraq Ma'an Ruwaished
Russeifa
Shoubak Tafilah Petra Salt Wadi Rum
Zarqa Administrative centers in Jordan
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Famous quotes containing the words political parties, political and/or parties:
“All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.”
—John Arbuthnot (1667–1735)
“The East knew and to the present day knows only that One is Free; the Greek and the Roman world, that some are free; the German World knows that All are free. The first political form therefore which we observe in History, is Despotism, the second Democracy and Aristocracy, the third, Monarchy.”
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“Both parties are injured by what is going on at Washington. Both are, therefore, more and more disposed to look for candidates outside of that atmosphere.”
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