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This study examines the potential and constraints of Iraqi civil society in relation to the political institutions established under the principle of power-sharing, using the Tishreen movement as a case study. The Tishreen movement exemplifies Iraqi civil society’s efforts to pursue political change, promoting voluntary citizen participation and guaranteed rights while fostering integration and solidarity among citizens by transcending sectarian conflicts and divisions. However, the movement’s inability to alter existing political institutions fundamentally highlights the limitations of civil society within Iraq’s power-sharing system. By analyzing the Tishreen movement, this study investigates the constraints faced by Iraqi civil society within the context of institutionalized power-sharing. It emphasizes the importance of considering the political institutional environment as a crucial factor in determining civil society's capacity to effect political change.

The efficacy of elections in authoritarian regimes has remained a prominent topic of debate within political science scholarship. Two principal perspectives have shaped this discourse: one posits that elections in authoritarian systems serve primarily as instruments to consolidate regime legitimacy, while the other contends that such elections foster procedural learning of democratic norms and can, in the long run, function as catalysts for political development. Jordan represents a paradigmatic case of a competitive authoritarian regime, characterized by periodic multiparty parliamentary elections despite its status as an authoritarian monarchy. Jordanian citizens are often perceived as enjoying relatively greater freedom to vote in alignment with their political preferences compared to voters in other authoritarian contexts. From this perspective, political participation by Jordanian civil society is notably robust when contrasted with other countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This engagement is evident not only in formal parliamentary elections but also in university student council elections. The significance of these student council elections is substantial, as the intensity of the campaigns mirrors that of national elections, and their outcomes are frequently regarded as predictive indicators of subsequent parliamentary election results. Nevertheless, tribalist practices have historically impeded genuine political participation within Jordanian civil society. However, emergent movements within civil society are now actively seeking to address and mitigate these challenges. These initiatives include campaigns advocating for the reform of electoral laws and the promotion of political pluralism. Despite numerous setbacks and iterative processes, civil society's efforts to advance the political landscape in Jordan remain persistent and continue to evolve. Accordingly, this study seeks to analyze the patterns of political parti- cipation exhibited by Jordanian civil society across various electoral pro- cesses and, through this analysis, assess the political capacity and potential of Jordanian civil society to contribute to broader political development.