Feminist Elites in Democratic Jordan 1989–2016

Abstract

This study aims to identify the features and characteristics of feminist elites as well as their circulation rate in official political positions. The study questions include the role of a profession, educational level, and class of origin in the recruitment of feminist elites. It stems from the hypothesis that a direct correlation exists between the mechanism of recruiting feminist elites and their characteristics, according to the criterion of class differentiation based on social status and financial wealth. The study used a complex combination of scientific methodologies, including the elite approach, which is especially important as a result of its ability to convert arguments into measurable variables, and a comparative approach was used to compare the features and characteristics of feminist elites in two reigns. From the study, it was observed that feminist elites are characterized by caste and wealth, higher educational degree, and in addition obtaining degrees from Western universities, prevailed. This result demonstrates the higher value of Western universities. The study also found that the circulation rate of political feminist elites dramatically increased in the reign of King Abdullah compared with the appointed feminist elites in the reign of King Hussein.

Citation

Bani Salameh, M.T. and Shdouh, E. (2018), "Feminist Elites in Democratic Jordan 1989–2016", Environment, Politics, and Society (Research in Political Sociology, Vol. 25), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 181-201. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0895-993520180000025010