Introduction: Minorities, Minoritisation and (Trans-)Jordan

Despite its small size and an initial appearance of homogeneity, Jordan provides an excellent case study for a dynamic, relational, historically contingent and fluid approach to ethnic, political and religious minorities in the context of the imposition of a modern state system on complex and variegated traditional societies. In this volume, the editors and contribu- tors have sought to bind together a fluid, dynamic and relational approach to the status and historical process involving the creation and absorp- tion of minority groups within the Jordanian case study. As such, the volume produces a double contribution. On the one hand, it provides a fresh set of contributions to empirically and conceptually enrich and diversify our understanding of the modern history of the state and soci- etal groups in today’s Jordan, and on the other hand, it provides an example of why and how scholars can challenge the static and discursively governmental-minded approaches to minorities and minoritisation—espe- cially with respect to the traditional emphasis on demographic balances. Allow us to briefly outline a short contextual history of (Trans-)Jordan for the reader’s familiarisation, before we outline our understanding of the dynamic, fluid and relational approach to the historical process and its importance in being applied to minorities and minoritisation in Jordan.