Fireworks in the middle of the afternoon, large crowds gathering and cheering, and posters covering every inch of school property—election week at the University of Jordan.
Coming from the most politically active campus in the United States, I was pleasantly shocked by how enthusiastic and active University of Jordan students are about Student Body Elections. However, there are some very big differences between elections at UJ and at GWU.
Primarily, the only day at GW that really has a chaotic energy is campaign postering day. But at UJ it seemed the posters went up overnight covering every fence, tree, and post. Students make a huge deal about campaign on a panel and with professional pictures and print outs.
For this entire school week, groups--or as they call them here tribes—have gathered in the center of campus to cheer on their candidate and share more about the platform. At GW we tend to do this in more of a relaxed atmosphere within the School of Media and Public Affairs with the GW Hatchet, TV, and Radio present.
Another large difference is the type of candidates, at UJ most of the candidates are wealthy male students. However, at GW we have a wide range of students running male and female—as our former SA president was a female. Unfortunately, I only saw one large poster for one female candidate, but the rest were all male.
Personally, I think I prefer the diversity in the student elections at GW, but UJ takes home the gold for actively participating and being excited for the democratic process taking place. For a country in the center of the Middle East, surrounded by countries with problems of corrupt leaders and dictatorships, University of Jordan understands how to act on their voting rights. To many Americans, loud chaotic crowds and fireworks may seem uncivilized, but honestly the foundation of the United States was built off of these types of phenomena.
Maybe it is us that can take a page from their book, and understand that democracy is an active process, and citizens must demand their rights.