Jordan Watch
An update and analysis of development and reform challenges in Jordan from a social democratic perspective.

Jordan Power 30: The Irrationality of Voting
Sunday, July 15, 2007

Jordan Business magazine has published its list of the most influential 30 Jordanians for the second year running. Last year the selection was based on the magazine's informed judgemens and it was convincing. This year however, the magazine opted to give the choice to its readers through an online vote. The results provides another evidence how voting can sometimes be irrational.
The magazine received 1905 votes from the readers, and ended up with a list that includes politicians and businessmen and three media personalities (all writing in English) and reflected a very narrow-spectrum of preferences.
It is almost certain that the votes came from the small percentage of high-middle class readers with English language proficeincy and high academic background and economic interests. This is why very influential figures like Saleh Armouti, Zaki Bani Irshaid and Khalil Attiyah made it in the first list and disappeared with the readers' vote.
In the list of power 30 there was no Islamist politician, no nationalist public opinion leader and no journalists linked to highly influential satellite stations like Al Jazeera and Arabiya.
There are the usual figures of previous prime ministers (not the current one) and the big names in government and parliament (Awadallah, Mouasher, Al Majali) and of course Omar Al Ma'ani and Gen. Mohammad Al Thahabi.
In media the names were reduced to Fahed Fanek, Rami Khouri (writes in daily Star in lebanon) and Rana Sabbag-Gargour. All of them are great writers but Fanek is only influential one in Jordan. I think people like Yaser Abu Hilaleh and Sameeh Ma'aytah are more influential.
I think such a survey should also be done by an Arabic speaking newspaper or a resaerch center where I am certain that the most influential figure will be a cleric or a mosque preacher like Mohammad Abu Faris or Ibrahim Zaid Al Kilani.
I think this list reflects a narrow spectrum and I advise the magazine to go back to its former system of educated guess and not rely on votes.

posted by Batir Wardam in Jordan Economy @ 11:32 PM

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(3) comments


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On July, 17, 2007 3:14 AM , Alurdunialhurr
from United States said:

Batir,,I must say this,I agree with you on this,what a shame,I just can't beleive they would select people like Awadallah, Mouasher, Al Majali) and of course Omar Al Ma'ani and Gen. Mohammad Al Thahabi.
My question ,what the hill those people have accomplished for the poor people of Jordan?
Awadallah in my opinion is a disgrace ,he helped to sell our National assets without any national referendum,Althahabi,the guys who is heading the torture chamber,it's beyond me.
Are the Magazine Batir, connected to the government?

On July, 17, 2007 7:52 AM , batir
from Jordan said:

Al Urduni the magazine is not connected to the government and it is a monitor of the economic situation. However, power does not necessarily helping people. The guys selected like Thahabi, Ma'ani and Awadallah..etc are powerful indeed. This was not the list of the goo but the powerful. Also remember this is the vote of the readers.

On July, 18, 2007 4:31 PM , Shifaa said:

Influence has nothing to do with doing good to the poor of Jordan. It has to do with how power ones has and his or her to use it for good or evil. No question that this survey is poorly constructed. They have a good sample size, but their results seem to me and as you said Batir unfairly representative of those who has influence in Jordan.
Do you know if they use the Internet to conduct this survey? I am guessing that they did do. Most Internet users tend to use English more and more exposed to the elected figures. Phone surveys are more reliable I guess, any how. Regarding choosing these figures instead. I prefer voting, it is more interesting and might bring unknown interesting names.
.



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