There is a major problem in Jordan with regards to resources, and I mean resources of all kinds and not just the natural. It is a problem that is common across the board when it comes to developing countries but I think such nations that end up emerging from such an economic category manage to fix this quintessential problem: wastage.
The amount of wastage is just horrendous in a country with little to no resources, and not just the natural kind. Think about the amount of water that is wasted for example: some where around 51%. Consider that we are ranked fourth in the world when it comes to countries with the least amount of water. Consider that a lot of the large-scale development has been opening the avenues for more wastage.
But also think about petrol and gas. How many people in this country get theirs for free? The coupon booklets are common for various people in government as well as the diplomatic arena and other foreign residents, and all together their numbers may stack up in the thousands. Think about all the gas-guzzling cars and the wasted opportunity to make use of the circumstances we’re in gas-wise to actually force people to purchase more economically-sound cars.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe in the free market and I believe that people should be allowed to purchase whatever they like. But there are certain circumstances where national problems require national attention, and in this context we are all part of one community that must engage and empathize as a common denominator. In other words: no man is an island.
And in times like these we may find a bit of truth in that statement – now more than ever.
Ramadan is upon us and the amount of food wastage on a social level is also quite horrendous. I’m not saying we should resort to the extreme of imposing a food quota, but I think awareness campaigns, especially those that play on the religious-front (as, after all, this is a holy month) might help raise awareness. If that doesn’t work, then one, somewhat ludicrous idea, would be to set consumption levels and raise prices for anyone wanting to purchase over that level. That “rich tax” would be used to pay for lower prices for limited-income families: kind of a robin hood scheme.
But that’s just an idea to illustrate the larger point: there is a great deal of this population that is not doing all it can to align itself with what I see as national concerns. And this is troubling for me. I’m not looking at this from some birds-eye-view, macro-socialist kind of standpoint, but a very specific point of view, one that is relative to Jordan and is relative to our current dilemma. Yes, perhaps a little redistribution of wealth is in order, but the underlying fact remains: the gap between rich and poor is spiraling out of control and it doesn’t feel like anyone really cares.
We have a list of problems when it comes to resources yet we are a country that doesn’t act like we’re suffering a deficit. In fact, most of the times, it seems like we’re operating as if we enjoy a surplus of everything. Oil, water, food, etc.
I don’t know what it will take.
Does our society need to be re-educated in the ways of consumption? Do our policymakers need to realign their attention towards curing the wastage issues we face?
Essentially, this is a point I’m trying to make: it is an issue that requires a national conscience. One that stems from farmer to policymaker. We are all in the same boat. This entails a national awareness of the disparities in our society, one that is lost on a small portion of this country that holds most of its wealth. Another semi-ludicrous idea: offering weekend trip down to the less-fortunate areas of the country; could start a whole new wave of domestic-tourism.
I don’t have the “ultimate” solution, although I know that it doesn’t boil down to just one but rather a cocktail dose operating on various fronts simultaneously, as all good policies should.
What I do know is that there is a great deal of concern on creation, more so than on preservation and this is a problem for me. More resources, more wealth, more jobs more, more and more. And that’s great. But it seems in the process of “creating more”, there is a great deal of neglect for preserving what we already have. And I think we’ll find that if we focus a little more on preserving, we might actually be able to secure a great deal more. It makes little sense to focus so much on how to fill the proverbial bucket with water if the bucket has a hole in it.
Wallahi , this is the most significant unspoken subject of our new age in Jordan, have you seen the Telecommunication bill for the Jordanians? or the number of cars just roaming around with no reason ? or the burnt heads with long hours of mobiles phone calls? have you seen the expensive clothes and the extravagant walks in and out of the MALLS? have you seen how many Malls are built ?
Without pointing fingers and who’s to blame , let’s try our best in finding a way out just like you did. but i would take it to another level.
Using the religion to deliver such an Idea will need more qualified scholars , i have seen then talk to people they need more Communication skills classes , they do have all the knowledge on naming the (non-consuming ) individual , but I think the changing community’s thoughts in finding and convincing opinion leaders in this movement , then the mass will follow .
The problem is my friend people are becoming stereo types and want to act like those in the movies and on TV. Just like the Americans Reached our minds through TV , we can use the media to deliver any Idea we want , all we need is a systematically approved governmental entity to start the campaign. believe me the method they used to make us love Rambo can work in convincing Jordanians ” a consumption policy that will make you richer”.
Again , the Human is most precious and rare.
Wallahi , this is the most significant unspoken subject of our new age in Jordan.
Have you seen the Telecommunication bill for the Jordanians? or the number of cars just roaming around with no reason ? or the burnt heads with long hours of mobiles phone calls? have you seen the expensive clothes and the extravagant walks in and out of the MALLS? have you seen how many Malls are built ?
Without pointing fingers and who’s to blame , let’s try our best in finding a way out just like you did. but i would take it to another level.
Using the religion to deliver such an Idea will need more qualified scholars , i have seen then talk to people they need more Communication skills classes , they do have all the knowledge on naming the (non-consuming ) individual , but I think the changing community’s thoughts in finding and convincing opinion leaders in this movement , then the mass will follow .
The problem is my friend people are becoming stereo types and want to act like those in the movies and on TV. Just like the Americans Reached our minds through TV , we can use the media to deliver any Idea we want , all we need is a systematically approved governmental entity to start the campaign. believe me the method they used to make us love Rambo can work in convincing Jordanians ” a consumption policy that will make you richer”.
Again , the Human is most precious and rare.
“but I think awareness campaigns, especially those that play on the religious-front…might help raise awareness ”
I have no original thought here but I think that’s a really good idea, those are effective!
what about preaching the vendors about maintaining commodity prices as much as asking the people not to throw any rice in the trash?
nseet, il 7ag 3al muwa6en.
The people are their own savior, their own liberators and patrons. The minority of elites who have the luxury of time and money to think and contemplate the sad reality they’re surrounded with (supposedly) beyond the worrisome of their daily welfare; those are merely the catalyst of the drastically needed change, without negating the role and impact of the government and its policies on the behavior and (essentially) welfare of the society as a whole.
I consider every dinar wasted by the individuals of this society equates to 1,000 dinars of that wasted by the government. The fact that one (poor or rich) may consensually waste resources or money (or time) on anything is far more severe than the waste of money or resources without consent (helplessly) or due to bad taxation program, decaying infrastructure or otherwise… the consent and will of the people is what matters and what make great nations rise and oblivious and defeated nations as ours fall… disgracefully.
And i second on the robin-hood taxing scheme, “luxury tax” it must be called, for the ones after a 100,000 dinar Hummer will probably swallow buying it for 200,000 dinars and wouldn’t mind filling it up at 2 dinars per litre, the dude is loaded and any comprehension of value-for-money have long been overturned after the 30,000 mark (40,000 dinar to be more lax).
Yes, i conquer, with all due respect to the powers of free market economy, but some damping factors such as the suggested luxury tax can help the government with its deficit (i don’t support subsidy in general), and create some sort of surplus to cover basic welfare issues to the needy… if only the same spirit at which the luxury tax is collected is carried over when redistributed and invested.
The increasing gap between rich and poor is to blame. Well, it’s at least one of the reasons why there are a lot of wastage of scarce resources.
It is nice to see someone thinking about issues facing us in Jordan from a different angle. We need more of you. There are market mechanism for controlling the wastage, but I am not sure how much more you can charge people for wastage. However this all has to start from the top, and unfortunately we associate wastage with status; we need a huge house, a huge car, a zillion lights, pools and water parks.
I believe a grassroots awareness campaigns and government tax breaks on tools that help reduce wastage would provide a strong incentive for people to conserve resource only if people don’t feel that they are shouldering the burden while government officials and other waste even more of our resources.
We need accountability first, and I believe everything will follow soon after.
On a side note, I just started a blog of my own after following your blog for almost 2 years now. Any feedback or comments are welcome 🙂
Very timely observation, Nas. And, now, just to poke fun, don’t you have a big old gas guzzling truck? When are you buying that scooter man?
mommabean: actually, technically, my diesel truck is more fuel-efficient than most trucks, and most diesel-trucks are more fuel-efficient than most cars. nevertheless, scooter is forthcoming.
I agree, we are an incredibly wasteful society! I also agree that at least part of the solution needs to come from a nation-wide initiative. So here’s my suggestion for one such initiative: if a policy sets out to limit and regulate the ridiculous amount of paper both public and private institutions use then we might curb both the waste and the bureaucracy with one stone! Oh, and help the environment too!
Ooooh, it’ a diesel truck! Okay, I stand corrected (teehee). I have little doubt it’s more efficient than our Bean-mobile, but I just couldn’t help the good-natured nudging. And, the day they invent a five-person scooter WITH car seats, I’ll rush out and buy it!