240
All this suggests a bold political approach linking political and governance
reforms to effective water solutions is needed. King Abdullah II’s response to the
Arab Spring (King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein 2012 )
15 provides unprecedented
opportunity, when regional politics permit, for Jordan to implement with international support the needed domestic, regional and international policies to make this
happen. The key challenge will be whether Jordan’s roadmap of political reforms
16
can translate into politico-economic transitions capable of delivering the democratic
freedoms and water-secure future to which Jordanians aspire. This paper’s analysis
and above criteria suggest success will be contingent on: the gradual but systematic
implementation in due course of historic structural change away from the rentier
system supporting Jordan’s unaffordable patronage state to a participatory democracy based on the rule of law, transparency and accountability; and on all Jordanians –
leadership, elites and public – “buying into” and putting their weight behind a
diffi cult transition through agreeing cross-sector reforms serving the collective
interest and a strategic agenda for implementing political, economic, legal and institutional aspects in which water is prioritised (Yorke 2013 , pp. 80–93).
Who would drive these processes? The King has recognised the need for “topdown” leadership to facilitate “bottom-up” reform. By calling on Jordanians to
embark on a process of “self-transformation”, he has pointed the way through
uncharted waters. While offering guidance he has called on Jordanians – government, parliament, administration, NGOs and citizens – to assume responsibility for
agreeing a vision for Jordan’s future and to drive through inclusive reforms to
implement it. In this context, there is need for “political champions” amongst the
elite to recognise win-win outcomes for all and to bring their followers with them.
Donors must also play their part, with robust support for such political change.
15.3.2 National and Regional Solutions
On this paper’s analysis and evidence only a political transition based on a restructured partnership between Throne and people will pave the way to the institutional,
legal and economic reforms needed for Jordan to sequence implementation of effective water solutions. Meanwhile, Jordan needs as a matter of priority to support
on-going ministry efforts to transform its water sector. “Business-as-usual” is not an
option. Water management shortcomings render unachievable both the narrowing of
water defi cits and laying foundation for a sustainable water-secure future. Reforms
need to move further and faster than planned. Ideally, they would be facilitated by
15 In 2012–2013, the king outlined goals for “self-transformation and progressive reform”: fair
parliamentary elections, a law guaranteeing broad representation, a Parliament based on political
parties and governments drawn from that Parliament. In 2013, the king distributed three papers on
political transition.
16 Constitutional changes implemented in 2012 and elections held in 2013, to be followed by
changes in the electoral law, and formation of governments comprising elected parliamentarians.
V. Yorke
All this suggests a bold political approach linking political and governance
reforms to effective water solutions is needed. King Abdullah II’s response to the
Arab Spring (King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein 2012 )
15 provides unprecedented
opportunity, when regional politics permit, for Jordan to implement with international support the needed domestic, regional and international policies to make this
happen. The key challenge will be whether Jordan’s roadmap of political reforms
16
can translate into politico-economic transitions capable of delivering the democratic
freedoms and water-secure future to which Jordanians aspire. This paper’s analysis
and above criteria suggest success will be contingent on: the gradual but systematic
implementation in due course of historic structural change away from the rentier
system supporting Jordan’s unaffordable patronage state to a participatory democracy based on the rule of law, transparency and accountability; and on all Jordanians –
leadership, elites and public – “buying into” and putting their weight behind a
diffi cult transition through agreeing cross-sector reforms serving the collective
interest and a strategic agenda for implementing political, economic, legal and institutional aspects in which water is prioritised (Yorke 2013 , pp. 80–93).
Who would drive these processes? The King has recognised the need for “topdown” leadership to facilitate “bottom-up” reform. By calling on Jordanians to
embark on a process of “self-transformation”, he has pointed the way through
uncharted waters. While offering guidance he has called on Jordanians – government, parliament, administration, NGOs and citizens – to assume responsibility for
agreeing a vision for Jordan’s future and to drive through inclusive reforms to
implement it. In this context, there is need for “political champions” amongst the
elite to recognise win-win outcomes for all and to bring their followers with them.
Donors must also play their part, with robust support for such political change.
15.3.2 National and Regional Solutions
On this paper’s analysis and evidence only a political transition based on a restructured partnership between Throne and people will pave the way to the institutional,
legal and economic reforms needed for Jordan to sequence implementation of effective water solutions. Meanwhile, Jordan needs as a matter of priority to support
on-going ministry efforts to transform its water sector. “Business-as-usual” is not an
option. Water management shortcomings render unachievable both the narrowing of
water defi cits and laying foundation for a sustainable water-secure future. Reforms
need to move further and faster than planned. Ideally, they would be facilitated by
15 In 2012–2013, the king outlined goals for “self-transformation and progressive reform”: fair
parliamentary elections, a law guaranteeing broad representation, a Parliament based on political
parties and governments drawn from that Parliament. In 2013, the king distributed three papers on
political transition.
16 Constitutional changes implemented in 2012 and elections held in 2013, to be followed by
changes in the electoral law, and formation of governments comprising elected parliamentarians.
V. Yorke