Ottoman Period: Prior to the nineteenth century, much of the territory that today makes up the modern Jordanian state was only sparsely populated and was not subject to formal governance rules. Tribes, many of which were grouped together in confederacies, controlled much of the territory and applied tribal law.1 During the nineteenth century, in response to growing military threats from European powers, the Ottoman Empire sought to broaden its tax base and the numbers of potential recruits it could draw from during times of conflict. The empire therefore expanded its geographic reach, including in the territory east of the Jordan river. New settlements were established, the area under cultivation was expanded, and modern governance frameworks were introduced. This included, among other things, the introduction of districting and the election of local representatives to a range of local councils; of taxation: and of commercial and criminal codes.2 Security for the general population improved during this period, as did agricultural output and overall economic activity, which attracted merchants from across the region. Ottoman authorities also moved to coopt powerful tribes into the new governance framework. Tribal leaders assumed office in the new administrative system that was being established, which translated into access to funds and further enhanced their influence.3 Jordan’s experience under the Ottoman period was therefore defined by the imposition of policies that were formulated without any local input, which depended in part on the cooptation of influential families into local government.4 The system brought unequal benefits to the local population, a situation that continues to this day.