The Jordanian government has long stressed its commitment to political reform, modernization and liberalization. While the municipal elections revealed visible gaps in this process, these and upcoming legislative elections do offer the potential to bring about better governance and increased citizen participation in political life.

The idealistic goal of democracy promotion has often been stymied by other strategic interests, such as the desire to maintain good relations with friendly autocratic regimes in the region that provide the United States with valuable cooperation in the war on terror, and help mediate the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict.