King’s humane, informal democracy

For the last few years, his Majesty King Abdullah has been relentless in urging political reform in the country, constantly urging the rise of effective political parties, so that parliamentary governments could alternate office in accordance with the outcomes of regular general elections within a functioning liberal democracy.

Towards that end, he kept prodding governments in office to speed up the process of political reform, published five discussion papers outlining major political and constitutional reform principles, and while he made clear that reform is an ongoing process and that dynamic legislation needs regular revision, he pledged to commit to lead the noble mission.

It must be part of this commitment that King Abdullah spent most of last Sunday with a large gathering of his people at a traditional bedouin-style tent on the grounds of Basman Palace, in the centre of Amman.

Although it has been a well-known tradition of Jordanian monarchs to hold regular, and often informal meetings with their citizens since the very early days of the creation of the modern state of Jordan, King Abdullah’s constant contact with all components of Jordanian society have been particularly regular. And this has been an ironclad bond that kept this country united in the face of critical challenges, crises and very hard times it has been facing all along.

If in some of the best democracies, where political systems and power separation patterns may have to keep some organisational barriers — legitimate, no doubt — between leaders and their people, this phenomenon can hardly be seen in this country.

This reality was best illustrated in last Sunday’s direct encounter with the King. The meeting was by no means the first of its kind, neither will it be the last. In the past 16 years of King Abdullah’s reign, he visited every corner of the country, met with people regularly and often with no advance notice, and he never tightened the loop on dialogue and informal discussion. That practice is certain to continue.

The elegantly printed invitations for the Royal occasion were distributed this time a day or two before to a large number of dignitaries, notables, community leaders, official and private, retired army and public security officers, members of both chambers of the National Assembly, business leaders and others for a meeting with the King, limited to the Amman region this time, to exchange views on pressing issues of domestic, regional and international concern.

The arrangements were impeccable. The guests who started to arrive mid-morning were ushered by Royal protocol personnel to the meeting tent without the complicated arrangements one would normally expect on similar occasions elsewhere.

Even the usual security requirements were performed with utmost courtesy.

The atmosphere of the entire event was very relaxed and visibly cordial.

When the King arrived with some of his advisers around mid-day, before taking his seat amongst his guests he went around to greet each one individually and to exchange a few nice and warm words with them.

That Royal kindness made each one of us feel that he or she was receiving very special attention.

We thought we were too many for His Majesty to take the time for such an elaborate geniality (we were more than two hundred), but it was very clear that the people’s King meant to extend a very warm welcome to everyone and that was a very highly appreciated Royal gesture. 

And again and before addressing his audience, His Majesty expressed happiness to be in such a prominent gathering, with former companions in the armed forces as well as with friends and devoted citizens. He expressed his pride in the retired army officers saying: “That elevates my morale.”

The King began by assuring the meeting that the situation in general is fine, that Jordanian relations with our brothers in the Gulf region are excellent and that there is credible coordination with our Arab brothers with respect to the situations in Syria and Iraq, with a realistic promise that there will be a political settlement for the Syrian crisis very soon. 

But he left no doubt in anyone’s mind that it is the duty of all of us to protect our borders, our land and our people.

Among other things, the King further emphasised the importance of placing the economic situation in the country at the top of our priorities, stressing the urgent need to solicit investment and create jobs.

He was specific in calling special attention to the east Amman area, stating his intention to visit the region, as well as other Jordanian neighbourhoods and provinces.

Issues such as education, health, infrastructure, poverty and unemployment were also included in His Majesty’s remarks urging the authorities to do all that is needed to deal drastically with all of them.

On the issue of the troublesome and indeed very dangerous phenomenon of festive firing, the King was very firm, demanding a drastic end to this illegal practice.

He said that from now on, no one is going to be above the law, not even his son, and that the security authorities should take the strictest measures in fighting the habit of reckless shooting while celebrating social occasions.

Visibly concerned, the King mentioned that he saw the video of the child who was killed while a man was loading his gun at a wedding, stressing that such recklessness should instantly end.

The floor was open for guests’ statements when the King concluded his remarks. Everyone who wanted to speak was given the opportunity and ample time.

The Jordanian Monarch wanted to hear from the people directly, without intermediaries; hence the prevailing family climate in the King’s auspicious presence where the absence of rigid formalities and restrictions encourages people to express themselves freely and comfortably.

That is what King Abdullah has been doing since his accession to the Jordanian Throne.

Although nothing was prearranged, all went extremely well on Sunday.

The King was taking notes while important participants’ remarks from the floor poured in. He often brought the attention of the Chief of the Royal Court who was next to him, the mayor of Amman, and military and security chiefs to any points relevant to their departments.

There was active interaction across the meeting place, live, open and free discussion, as well as prompt Royal instructions for dealing without further delay with many of the matters raised.

There was no rush and no time limit on guests’ interventions.

At around 3pm, when the discussion ended to everyone’s satisfaction, His Majesty invited the guests to a traditional Jordanian lunch that was prepared in a nearby tent. 

The King ate with us and looked after us. He continued to converse freely and without any restrictions in a perfectly relaxed family, cordial atmosphere.

Is that not a perfect form of an exemplary and a humane informal democracy?