Rethinking Economic Reform in Jordan: Confronting Socioeconomic Realities

Publication Date: July 2007

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Author(s): Sufyan Alissa

Research Area: Economics

Type: Report

Abstract:

Jordan's King Abdullah II has stated that economic reform is one of his top priorities, yet it remains hindered by two major obstacles: a lack of public support, and the government's inability to implement deep reform.

In Rethinking Economic Reform in Jordan: Confronting Socioeconomic Realities, Sufyan Alissa argues that the general public is skeptical about reforms because previous efforts failed to address the major social and economic problems affecting the majority of its citizens. Likewise, reform efforts face severe resistance from elites who benefit from the status quo.