State Interests and Public Spheres: The International Politics of Jordan’s Identity

Marc Lynch

Columbia University Press

1999

Preface and Acknowledgments

 

On February 7, 1999, Hussein ibn Talal died after 46 years on the throne of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In the eyes of many observers, his passing marked not only the end of an era, but potentially also the end of Jordan. Viewing Jordanian politics through the prism of one extraordinary man, they could not envision a Jordan without him. While Hussein was certainly central to the Jordanian political system, Jordan is not and has never been reducible to one man. This book, written before the King’s death, focuses on the interplay of the regime’s preferences and the identities and interests articulated by important segments of Jordanian society. The emergence of a Jordanian public sphere in the 1990s, which allowed these actors to express and argue for their conceptions of Jordan, and the monarchy’s struggle to maintain its freedom of maneuver, produced a far more complex and intriguing political situation than was often appreciated. I argue that a clear and powerful Jordanian national identity has emerged, locating Jordanian interests firmly on the East Bank and precluding a return to the West Bank. I also argue that the failure to embed the peace treaty with Israel in a domestic consensus renders it less stable than the strategic logic and presumed shared interests behind it might suggest. The passing of Hussein from the scene and the ascension to the throne of his son, Abdullah, offers both an opportunity and a danger for the Jordanian public. It also highlights the significance of the political and public dynamics discussed in this book. An inexperienced King, dependent on external supporters and most comfortable with military interests, might move to repress contrary public opinion and reassure his foreign patrons. On the other hand, Abdullah could choose to engage with the Jordanian public sphere, seeking to secure legitimacy, shared identity, and popular support through public deliberation. While such questions are beyond the scope of this book, I hope that the arguments developed here will be of use to those who now ponder them.

As with any project that has evolved over a long period of time, this book has developed though an ongoing dialogue with numerous people. As usual, they have much to do with its strengths and bear no responsibility for its mistakes.

By far my greatest debt goes to Peter Katzenstein and Shibley Telhami, who took the unusual step of agreeing to be co-chairs of a rather odd dissertation, and were model advisers: committed, reliable, supportive, and critical. Without their faith, combined with close reading, this book could never have been written. Sid Tarrow helped shape the dissertation by constantly forcing me to express my ideas more clearly and to engage with empirical questions. Cornell’s exceptional intellectual environment shaped my approach to the project; my thanks go out to all the participants in the Peace Studies Colloquium, the Advanced Graduate Student Colloquium, and the Dissertation Support Group. Christian Reus-Smit and Richard Price, in particular, introduced me to a new way of thinking about International Relations.

Outside of Cornell, a number of people read all or part of the manuscript. Lisa Anderson was involved in this project at an early stage. Her sharp critiques and good humor helped me focus on the project; her willingness to spend long hours with a graduate student from another university during her sabbatical year showed me the meaning of dedicated scholarship. Michael Barnett read many versions of this project and helped provide the space for my arguments. Alex Wendt read the entire manuscript and identified crucial missing points in the argument. Indeed, this book can be read as an ongoing dialogue between my dissertation and Alex’s provocative criticisms. Ian Lustick brought me in to a collective Social Science Research Council project, “Rightsizing the state,” which allowed me to explore and develop the comparative implications of Jordan’s experience. I received useful comments and criticisms while presenting parts of this work at the annual meetings of the Middle East Studies Association, the International Studies Association, and the American Political Science Association, as well as at the Social Science Research Council, Cornell University’s Peace Studies Colloquium, and the University of Maryland.

As I went from graduate school to the job market, several people and institutions quite literally kept me alive. Thanks to Princeton University, particularly John Waterbury and the Politics Department, for hosting me in the fall of 1993. Judith Reppy, director of the Peace Studies Program at Cornell, intervened on my behalf at more than one critical moment. For financial support, I thank the Social Science Research Council’s International Predissertation Fellowship Program; the MacArthur Foundation grant administered by the Cornell Peace Studies Program; the United States Information Agency Dissertation Fellowship program administered by the American Center for Oriental Research in Jordan; the Mellon Foundation Dissertation Completion Fellowship; and the MacArthur Foundation postdoctoral fellowship on ethnic conflict administered by the Institute for International Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

John Kozlowicz, chair of the Political Science Department at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, gave me my first teaching position before I had finished my dissertation. Thanks to John and the department for a wonderful year and an exhilarating introduction to the world of teaching. John Rapp and the faculty of Beloit College were extremely helpful during my year in Wisconsin and I warmly thank everyone there. I rewrote the book during a postdoctoral fellowship year in the Political Science Department at the University of California, Berkeley. Among the many people at Berkeley that I would like to thank for their friendship and advice are Robert Price, Kiren Chaudhry, Elizabeth Kier, Bob Powell, Kirsten Rodine, Beth Simmons, and Steve Weber. I finished my revisions at Williams College, and I thank Michael MacDonald and the entire Political Science Department for their support.

In Jordan, a number of institutions and individuals supported my research. I particularly thank Mustafa Hamarneh, director of the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan, where I was a visiting fellow from 1994 to 1995. Mustafa, Nahla, and the staff helped me with everything from access to the University library to arranging interviews; Mustafa’s generosity, enthusiasm, and sharp analysis of Jordanian politics will always be deeply appreciated. I stayed at the American Center for Oriental Research in Amman for six months in 1995, and would like to thank Pierre Bikai and the entire staff. Jillian Schwedler, Joseph Massad, Pete Moore, and Cathy Hanaman contributed immensely to both my understanding of Jordan and to my mental health. Beth Dougherty lived through a lot of this book with me, and I will always be grateful. I can not begin to thank the many Jordanians who gave generously of their time and insight, and whose arguments shaped my understanding of Jordanian politics. Lauren Posner entered my life late in the writing of this book, and helped me to complete it. Her love and support, as well as her patience, have changed my life.

Kate Wittenberg at Columbia University Press has been a model editor, making clear what was expected every step of the way and offering outstanding advice. Leslie Bialler made the copy-editing process both smooth and enjoyable; his appreciation of the finer points of the semi-colon set him apart.

My love goes to my sisters, Karen and Elizabeth, and my parents, Marian and Jeremy. I dedicate the book to my grandfather, Samuel Edelson, and to the memory of my grandmothers, Ida and Marie.

Marc Lynch
Williamstown, Massachusetts
April 1999