Without information

Average Jordanians must have more eyes than the snakes in Medusa’s hair locks to vigilantly follow, as they do, all the events in the country, in the region and the world.

This alertness is motivated by a deep sense of survival which depends, to a large extent, on decisions taken by others.

Among the many questions that add to a Jordanian’s perplexity are: Will the investment fund with Saudi Arabia help? Can we trust the promises of an American president accused of flip-flopping on major issues? Will Jordan be coerced to participate in potential regional wars?

In the ardent pursuit to defog future events, a Jordanian is worried deeply about his economic survival.

Depending on the conclusions he or she arrives at, the mood will also be optimistic or pessimistic.

Such quest is often aggravated by lack of information, which breeds uncertainty and, worse, arouses deep fear of what is yet to come.

A Jordanian reads news flashes on his cell phone, watches three or four news shows and a similar number of debates, and scans newspapers and cable stations hoping for something to quench his thirst for information.

The result of this uncertainty is fear of the future. Thus, a person finds solace in cash close to home, in acting like a scrooge, in averting risks and investment, and in refraining from settling outstanding debts.

We are on the threshold of the holy month of Ramadan. 

It is usually a high purchase season and many shopkeepers build stocks of seasonal and other consumer goods.

After Ramadan, consumption shifts from food and drinks to clothes on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. Many shopkeepers and supermarket operators, however, are voicing concern that these events are not going to produce many sales this year. This could be a sign of the economic slump that many Jordanians feel they have sunk into.

The only counter-cyclical consumption expected to be different is that of tobacco.

Cafés serving tobacco products, particularly hubble bubble, will be crowded.

The other increase will be in watching TV series, mostly soap operas hurriedly prepared for the fasting people to kill time before sunset and indulging in food.

There is a plethora of behavioural signs that indicate a deep stoic attitude, even indifference.

People feel they are kept in the dark, everything about them indicates that major events are about to happen, yet they do not know what, why, when or where these would happen.

When people are afraid, their instinctive reaction is violence, which is occurring more frequently and involves larger numbers than Jordan was used to.

Wisdom necessitates firm and fair treatment according to the law, not only because law should rule supreme, but also because we need a better chance of economic revival.

The writer is a former Royal Court chief, deputy prime minister and member of Senate. He contributed this article to The Jordan Times.