Oases of Arab Progress

The 9/11 attacks focused attention on the Arab world from without and within, showing quickly that although nations in the region differed in many ways, they were united by a lack of democracy. But under pressure from the United States -- and, more important, from their own people -- some countries are showing glimmers of change.

Jordan recently elected a new parliament. This will not take any power from King Abdullah II, who inherited the throne on the death of his father, King Hussein, in 1999. But it should provide an institutional form of advice to the monarchy. Abdullah dissolved parliament two years ago and delayed balloting several times, stressing economic development before political change.

But with the Iraq war done and the “road map” to Palestinian-Israeli peace published, Abdullah decided he could live with an elected legislature -- which he can dismiss if he chooses. Balloting was rigged in favor of pro-monarchy candidates. Yet several Islamists won seats and probably will challenge the government, one of the few in the Arab world that recognizes Israel and which tries to maintain calm among the Palestinians who account for more than half of Jordan’s population. Women fared worse than Islamists, winning none of the 110 seats. But six seats in parliament have been set aside for women, who will be chosen by a special commission.

Jordan’s treatment of women looks enlightened compared with that of Saudi Arabia, but even there, hints of change are emerging. Last week, eight Saudi women complained on a television program about usually taboo topics, such as not having the right to drive, let alone compete with men for jobs or take part in politics.

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has sought to open the government and society slightly. But the council he appointed to advise him on running the kingdom has no women; one of the eight on the “Saudi Women Speak Out” program said there were not even women in government discussions on working women.

A year ago, several dozen Arab intellectuals cited “deficits” in freedom, women’s empowerment and knowledge in the region. The United Nations commissioned the Arab Human Development Report, which concluded that a lack of democracy and human rights stifled development and that the treatment of women wasted the potential of much of the population. As a result, although wealthier than most areas of the world, thanks to oil, the 22 Arab nations were found to be nowhere nearly as productive as the Asian “tigers,” nations that better use the talents of more of their people.

The road to development is clear: Arab nations must display the political will to share more power and enfranchise more of their people to avoid political extremism and violence and to keep pace with the rest of the world.