In the absence of favourable living conditions

Looking at surveys and polls regarding the reasons people participate in demonstrations and how they explain their protests should push analysts to draw some serious conclusions.

It is important to note that the major reasons for taking to the streets are related to the economic situation, to perceived administrative and financial corruption in the public sector, and to the issue of freedom.

Indicators point to people’s concern at ending up having the chaos and bloody situation witnessed in many countries around as the reason for freezing the protests during the “Arab Spring”, but that does not satisfy their demands.

The perception of corruption is strongly present in most surveys as a serious reason for protest.

Observers have already noticed a strong connection between calls for political reform and calls for fighting corruption, with many people convinced that there is no serious official attempt at fighting corruption.

Again, the linkage between the socio-economic situation and protests is clear in any survey, and this should rouse concern about the efficiency of strategies and plans to confront challenges.

People who are critical, or simply confused by government policies, might feel more optimistic if they could see that measures are taken to improve their living conditions.

One other factor that might negatively influence the youth is an age-old problem in Jordan. Many complain that the same persons only change positions.

The failure to integrate the youth in a society that has more than 60 per cent young people is bound to have a very negative effect, particularly when it comes to coping with the fast-changing world around.

What Jordan needs today is a different category of governing class in which there are inspiring youths capable of facing the challenges of the future, from managers who need to find modern solutions to domestic problems to teachers who have to deal with the new generations.

Not taking into account the facts that show the latent discontent would, at least, put the reputation and credibility of the government at risk.

Simultaneously, no one should forget the danger of people being targeted by the strong waves of extremism.

People want to see the real intention of the government, which needs to translate words into real and efficient action.

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