Routledge Law in the Service of Legitimacy: Gender and Politics in Jordan

Using gender and law in the political system of Jordan as a means of investigating broader issues surrounding the relationship between culture and political legitimacy, this volume offers an in-depth treatment of the laws that define, limit and expand women's rights. Arguing that gender issues aren't simply a 'special topic' in politics, but an indicator and symbol of the character of the political system as a whole, the significance of the politics of legitimacy as played out in issues of gender and law is not only about the content of policies and competition of interests, but about the power to determine the nature of the political system itself. Review 'Warrick's book moves seamlessly among several levels of analysis: abstract discussions of legitimacy, hardheaded analysis of politics, close study of legal provisions, and sensitive explorations of cultural norms. And it does so with a particular end in mind: to show how the Jordanian state has built itself in reaction to what Jordanians see as right and wrong, tracing how that effort deeply affects the daily lives of Jordanians in both obvious and subtle ways.' Nathan Brown, The George Washington University, USA 'This book is an up-to-date, in-depth, carefully researched examination of how regime uses gendered laws to maintain their legitimacy and the legal challenges women face in Jordan specifically. As such, it makes contributions to women's studies, Middle East studies and comparative legal studies...an excellent book...' The Law and Politics Book Review About the Author Catherine Warrick is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Villanova University, where she teaches Middle East politics.