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National Poll of Jordanian Public National Poll of Jordanian Public OpinionOpinion

Dr. Musa ShteiwiDr. Musa Shteiwi

Jordan Center for Social ResearchAn Independent, Non-Profit Think Tank

Amman – Jordan

onon

Democracy & Political Reform in JordanDemocracy & Political Reform in Jordan

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ContentsContents

Poll ObjectivesPoll Objectives

Poll ProcessPoll Process

Poll OutcomesPoll Outcomes

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Poll ObjectivesPoll Objectives

The most important challenges facing Jordanian society. The best practices for promoting and implementing reform. Attitudes towards justice and procedural fairness. Reasons for maintaining the governmental status quo or for

changing government. Support for various political tendencies. Support for maintaining or amending the current Election Law. Perceptions of political rights and freedoms. Women’s participation in public and political life. Attitudes towards Professional unions. Conceptions of social differences and diversity.

The main objective of the Poll is to examine the Jordanian people’s opinion regarding some of the

issues related to the process of democratic transformation and political reform

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Poll SamplePoll Sample The sample consisted of 1000 persons (50% males and 50% females) who The sample consisted of 1000 persons (50% males and 50% females) who

are 18 years or older.are 18 years or older.

The sampling methodology used was a random cluster sample which The sampling methodology used was a random cluster sample which included 100 sites all over the Kingdom.included 100 sites all over the Kingdom.

The frame of the 2004 census was used.The frame of the 2004 census was used.

The field work for the Poll was conducted on July 25-31, 2005 by Middle The field work for the Poll was conducted on July 25-31, 2005 by Middle East Marketing & Research Consultants, a private opinion and market East Marketing & Research Consultants, a private opinion and market research company based in Amman.research company based in Amman.

The Poll was conducted with the support of the International Republican The Poll was conducted with the support of the International Republican Institute (IRI). Institute (IRI).

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Summary of the Poll’s Most Summary of the Poll’s Most Important FindingsImportant Findings

66

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

In the right direction In the wrong direction Not sure/don’t know Refused to answer

Generally speaking, are things in Jordan going in the right or the wrong direction?

77

Taking all things into consideration, what is the most important problem that Jordan faces today?

4.0%10.1%

9.6%

26.6%

38.2%

Rising cost of living UnemploymentWorsening economic situation PovertyCorruption

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The three most important political problems facing Jordan today that require the Government’s immediate attention:

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

1st MostImportantProblem

2nd MostImportantProblem

3rd MostImportantProblem

Mean

Refused to answer

Government interference inparliament and judiciary

Not sure/Don’t know

Lack of press freedom

Discrimination andInequality

Poor sense of loyalty

Lack of personal freedoms

Lack of freedom ofexpression

Low participation ofparties

Corruption

99

Which statement of each of the following pairs of statements is closer to your opinion ?

0 20 40 60 80 100

1st Statement

2nd Statement

3rd Statement

4th Statement

5th Statement

Local authorities which areappointed by the centralgovernment, ORLocal authorities who areelected by the people.

Control of newspapers by thegovernment--in order to preventdisunity, OR

Newspapers free to criticize thegovernment and enjoy freedomof expression.Judges, who follow instructionsgiven by the government, OR

Judges, who apply the lawwhatever the government says.

A government who can actwithout interference frommembers of the parliament, ORA government whose power isbalanced by the parliament.

Multiple parties, each with itsown platform, OR

One political party only, with asingle plan for the country.

1010

Think of a situation in which many people are dissatisfied with the government and want to change it. Which of the following do you

consider appropriate or not appropriate?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Organize meetings and peacefulprotests

Resort to violence Wait for a reshuffle

Very appropriate Appropriate Not appropriate Not appropriate at all Not sure Refused to answer

1111

A government can use different methods to protect its ability to govern a country. Which of the following methods do you strongly agree,

somewhat agree, do not agree, or do not agree at all with?

0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0

Prosecute common criminals only

Prosecute violent political actions

Prohibit opposition's political activities

Prosecute individuals and groups who workagainst the country's interest

Censor or close the press

Absolutely agree Somewhat Agree Disagree Absolutely disagree Not sure Refused to answer

1212

In which of the following situations has one a good chance to get just and fair treatment?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

In court In university entrance exams In a police investigation

In the hiring process for a job At the tax office Not sure

Refused to answer None of the above

1313

If there were elections for the Jordanian parliament which political tendency would you most likely vote

for?

1%

37%

26%

14%

10%

11%

Islamist Jordanian nationalist I won't vote based on ideology

Arab nationalist Not sure Don’t Know/Refused to answer

Socialist

1414

Are you in favor of keeping the parliamentary election law of Are you in favor of keeping the parliamentary election law of 2003 or changing it2003 or changing it??

8%

0.4%

15.2%

17.4%59%

Opt for the existing Law (2003) Opt for amendment Doesn’t make a difference

Not sure/Don’t know Refused to answer

43% of those who supported changing the law, suggested changing it to a multiple voting system.

1515

If municipal elections were held in the near future, would you vote?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Yes No Not sure/ Don’t know Refused to answer

1616

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Freedom to vote for anominee or a party in

elections

Freedom to criticizegovernment publicly

Free and Fair Elections Joining political parties

Observed to a large extent Observed Not Observed Not observed at all Not sure Refused to answer

To which extent do you believe the following freedomsare guaranteed in Jordan?

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Attitudes toward women’s participation in public life

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Women should not bedenied the right to workoutside the home if they

want to.

Men and women shouldenjoy equal jobopportunity and

remuneration

After marriage, womenshould cease workingoutside the house to

dedicate all their time tothe household.

University education ismore important for men

than for women.

Absolutelyagree

Agree

Disagree

Absolutelydisagree

Not sure

Refused toanswer

1818

Do you agree or disagree with the following forms of women’s political participation?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Voting inParliamentaryand Municipal

Elections

Running formunicipal council

Running forParliament

To be appointedAmbassador

To be appointedMinister

To be appointedPrime Minister

In general, menare more fit than

women to bepolitical leaders

Absolutely agree Agree Disagree Absolutely Disagree Not sure Refused to answer

1919

To what extent do you support a women’s quota in the following institutions?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Municipal councils The lower house ofparliament

The upper house ofparliament

Absolutely agree Agree Disagree Absolutely disagree Not sure Refused to answer

2020

What is your opinion on the existing women’s quota in parliament?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Keep the existing quota Increase the number ofseats allocated for women

from 6-12, according togovernorates

Abolish the existing womenquota

Absolutelyagree

Agree

Disagree

Absolutelydisagree

Not sure

Refused toanswer

2121

The professional associations (unions) conduct many activities and perform many responsibilities. Are you

satisfied or not satisfied with the overall conduct of the associations?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Highlysatisfied

Fairly satisfied Not satisfied Not satisfiedat all

Not sure Refused toanswer

2222Solely

ProfessionalProfessionaland Political

Not sure Refused toanswer

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

VoluntaryMembership

ObligatoryMembership

Not sure Refused toanswer

Solely a Professional Role or Both Political

and Professional Roles?

Obligatory or Voluntary Membership?

Professional Associations

2323

Which of the following differences do you feel is the greatest in Jordan?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Differencesbetween rich

and poor

Differencesbetween

nativeJordanians

andJordanians

of Palestinianorigin

Differencesbetween theresidents ofAmman andother areas

Differencesbetweenlarge and

small clans

There are nodifferences

Not sure Differencesbetween

Muslims andNon-Muslims

Refused toanswer

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87.5

8.23.0 1.3 0.1

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

100.0

Percentage

Increased Maintained its level Decreased Not sure Refused to answer

In the last 10 years has the difference between rich and poor in this country…..?

2525

In the next year, will you and your family be better off or worse off than you are now?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Bettersituation

Samesituation

Worsesituation

Not sure