1 national poll of jordanian public opinion dr. musa shteiwi jordan center for social research an...
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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