Votes for Women

Interesting news this morning from Jordan, where the very conservative Islamist party has withdrawn its candidates from the mayoral elections. It isn't directly related that this is why, but this is the first round of elections in which a high percentage of women were allotted quotas, which in Jordan means that (under new legislation) 20% of government seats are guaranteed to women. Now, presumably this would be achieved by appointment if the popular vote did not fulfill that expectation, and in a highly Islamic country that seems to be a very likely scenario.

Jordan is a monarchy, and so their version of democracy really isn't direct representation like the United States version is supposed to be. Before this year, the King, Abdullah II, appointed mayors. He also appoints half of Parliament. But he has done more to democratize the monarchy than any of his successors, although arguably King Hussein, who ruled before him, did a lot. I am not sure what the ultimate aim of the Jordanian monarchy is- by all accounts it isn't to create a democracy and abdicate the reins of power, but they are one of the most moderate of the Middle Eastern states. It is quite possible that this tentative democracy is simply a way of ensuring an economic future in a country with few resources of its own. They do, after all, have a free trade agreement with us to maintain and if our tactics in other countries hold true, I'm sure there's been pressure from Washington to democratize.

I do want to point out that this progressive process of giving women a voice in government predates Jordan's alliance with the US. If I had to guess, I would guess that it has been the influence of the Queens of Jordan, all of whom seem to have been very strong, opinionated, smart women, that has created this impetus. I seriously doubt we can take any credit, as a country, for this refreshing news.