2011–2012 Jordanian protests: Difference between revisions

However, evidence of historical and recent protests suggests that the backbone of the protests are of peninsular Arabic speaking Jordanians disfranchised by liberal economic policies instituted in the country during the last decades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riskandforecast.com/post/dubai/east-bank-jordanians-demonstrate-as-king-announces-plans-for-reforms_715.html |title=East Bank Jordanians demonstrate as King announces plans for reforms|publisher=Risk and Forecast|accessdate=14 March 2013}}</ref> Specifically, previous mass protests include protests in 1989 in the city of [[Al Karak|Karak]] and other southern towns in the country known as April 1989 uprising (هبة نيسان) that led to reintroduction of democratic life.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jordantimes.com/activists-to-mark-1989-uprising|title=Activists to mark 1989 ‘uprising’|newspaper=The Jordan Times|date=19 April 2012|accessdate=14 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327035508/http://jordantimes.com/activists-to-mark-1989-uprising|archive-date=27 March 2013|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref> In 1996, bread riots erupted in Ma'an and other southern cities in Jordan as well.<ref>[libres.uncg.edu/ir/asu/f/Ryan_C_1998_Peace.pdf]</ref> Both are predominantly of peninsular Arabic speaking Jordanian origins. More recently, the 2011–2012 uprising started with movements all over the country specially in towns with a predominantly east-Jordanian population known locally as Al-Hirak.<ref name=Kirkpatrick>{{cite news|last=Kirkpatrick|first=David D.|title=Jordan Protesters Dream of Shift to King&#x2019;sKing’s Brother|work=The New York Times|page=4|date=22 November 2012|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/world/middleeast/jordan-protesters-dream-of-shift-to-prince-hamzah.html}}</ref> Therefore, according to many analysts while protests in Amman might generates a media buzz about a revolution in Jordan, but discontent in rural Jordan among peninsular Arabic speaking Jordanians is what would really tip the scales.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2012/1218/If-change-comes-to-Jordan-it-won-t-start-in-Amman|title=If change comes to Jordan, it won't start in Amman|newspaper=CS Monitor|date=18 December 2012|accessdate=14 March 2013}}</ref> Regardless of identity and demographic sensitivities both groups tend to agree on the need for a more robust economy and a cure for Jordan’s crippling unemployment. However, many argue that the sensitive demographic balance in the country will ultimately decide how wide and deep political reforms will go.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/the-daily-need/dont-expect-sweeping-reforms-in-jordan-former-ambassador-cautions/6997/ |title=Don’t expect sweeping reforms in Jordan, former ambassador cautions|newspaper=PBS|date=3 February 2011|accessdate=14 March 2013}}</ref>