Reading ‘Nationalist Voices in Jordan‘ is similar to watching the history rebuild itself in a dramatic yet educating manner. Dr. Betty S. Anderson, an associate Professor of Middle East History at Boston University, has explained how Hashemite regime literally formulated Jordan’s history. Jordan is described as a weak country that struggles to find its own identity and is also dependent on developed countries for foreign aid.
Dr. Anderson acknowledges why Hashemites faced a powerful opposition movement in 1950s by Jordanian National Movement. And then she follows the trail of investigating why JNM failed, in fact, destroyed itself, altogether. As she presents her analysis, it is often defended by previous works of well known intellectuals such as Partha Chatterjee, Homi Bhabha, John Roberts, Gregory Starrett, etc.
Taking an academic stand, the book stresses how, decade after decade, students were taught how Jordan to stood at the epicenter of a potential reunion of divided Arab countries because of Hashemite leadership. Also, in Jordan and Palestine, the debates about ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ domains played out on the ground in the 20th century because political activity came hand in hand with Nationalist discourse.
Initially, an opposition movement ‘Transjordan for Transjordanians’ failed to construct itself. Support for the Hashemites and British gained due to the institutions they built- the bureaucracy, army, schools, clubs as well as services like transportation and electricity. A reciprocal relationship was established between land reform and peasants.
Interestingly, these platforms later led to vigorous debates and culmination of JNM. Also, the question of Jordanian national identity became more complex when Palestinians teams with Jordanian colleagues to form JNM.
For a very long time- boundaries, politics and strategies defined the citizenry of Jordan. Dr. Anderson describes how under Britain’s guidance, Abdullah relied on Palestinian officials to run his government. Over the years, the Muslim Brotherhood grew in Jordan, but just as a side-kick of Hashemite regime that applied opportunistic tactics to voice against the JNM.
JNM failed in 1957 due to inner differences and frequent conflicts between the political leaders. The internal politics was also weakened through involvement of countries like US, Britain, Egypt and Syria. Even the Ba’th Party finally split in 1960s.
The book does not discuss ‘Black September’ and the change in circumstances that finally led to King Hussain’s hatred for Palestinians. Also, Dr. Anderson does not use interview pieces from common Jordanians who could have provided a better insight into their daily lives and how it has changed over the years. The foreign relations of Jordan are not exposed, apart from the role played by the British right from its germination.
In the end, Dr. Anderson exposes how Jordan has turned into a perfect example of how a colonial state with foreign leadership can be transformed into a nation.
shubhdachaudhary 