• Home
  • News
    • Africa
    • International
    • International News
    • Maghreb
    • Algeria
  • Politics
  • Business
    • International
    • Maghreb
    • Middle-East
    • Morocco
  • Opinion
    • Editorials
    • Essays
    • Letters
    • Op-Eds
    • Voices
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • Book and Movie Reviews
    • History
    • Profiles and interviews
    • Upcoming Events
  • Features
  • Society
    • Expatriates
    • Gender issues
    • Portraits
    • Ramadan
    • Religion
  • Education
  • Covid-19
  • Western Sahara
    • Autonomy plan
    • History
Search
  • About Us
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Contribute
  • Editorial Team
    • Contributors
    • Correspondents
    • Editorial Board
Morocco World News Morocco World News
  • Home
  • News
    • Cristiano Ronaldo Refuses to Promote Tourism in Saudi Arabia
      International News

      Cristiano Ronaldo Refuses to Promote Tourism in Saudi Arabia

      Biden Administration to Uphold Israel’s ‘Normalization Agreements’
      International News

      Biden Administration to Uphold Israel’s ‘Normalization Agreements’

      Israel's Cabinet Approves Deal to Improve Bilateral Ties With Morocco
      International

      Israel’s Cabinet Approves Deal to Improve Bilateral Ties With Morocco

      Ministry Of Finance: Morocco Has A Budget Deficit of $9.2 Billion
      Economy

      Ministry Of Finance: Morocco Has A Budget Deficit of $9.2 Billion

      Morocco Discovers Oldest Rock Carvings in North Africa
      Highlights on Morocco

      Morocco Discovers Oldest Rock Carvings in North Africa

      AllAfricaInternationalInternational NewsMaghrebAlgeria
  • Politics
    • Biden Administration to Uphold Israel’s ‘Normalization Agreements’
      International News

      Biden Administration to Uphold Israel’s ‘Normalization Agreements’

      COVAX: How WHO is Fighting Unequal Distribution of Vaccines
      Covid-19

      COVAX: How WHO is Fighting Unequal Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines

      Libyan Crisis: Rival Factions Applaud Morocco’s Efforts to Help Reach Resolution
      Morocco

      Libyan Crisis: Rival Factions Applaud Morocco’s Efforts to Help Reach Resolution

      Algeria’s Government Attacks Morocco-Israel Peace Accord
      Morocco

      Algeria’s Government Attacks Morocco-Israel Peace Accord

      Samir Bennis New US President Joe Biden Won’t Harm Morocco’s Interests
      Morocco

      Samir Bennis: Joe Biden Will Not Disrupt Morocco-US Strategic Alliance

  • Business
    • Ministry Of Finance: Morocco Has A Budget Deficit of $9.2 Billion
      Economy

      Ministry Of Finance: Morocco Has A Budget Deficit of $9.2 Billion

      Morocco’s Aziz Akhannouch Urges Global Efforts to Combat Food Insecurity
      Economy

      Morocco’s Aziz Akhannouch Urges Global Efforts to Combat Food Insecurity

      VP of Morocco’s OCP Mohammed Belhoussain Suddenly Passes Away
      Economy

      VP of Morocco’s OCP Mohammed Belhoussain Suddenly Passes Away

      Morocco, Israel Sign First Agreement to Open Direct Flights
      Economy

      Morocco, Israel Sign First Agreement to Open Direct Flights

      Experts Call for Cooperation in Fighting Global Corruption
      Highlights on Morocco

      Experts Call for Cooperation in Fighting Global Corruption

      AllInternationalMaghrebMiddle-EastMorocco
  • Opinion
    • Biden's Western Sahara Decision: Will He or Won't He?
      Editorials

      Biden’s Western Sahara Decision: Will He or Won’t He?

      Planting Hope, Growing Peace: Models for Sustainable Peacebuilding in the MENA
      Op-ed

      Planting Hope, Growing Peace: Models for Sustainable Peacebuilding in the MENA

      Al Jazeera Twisting the Truth of Western Sahara
      Autonomy plan

      Al Jazeera: Twisting the Truth of Western Sahara

      Amazigh Identity and Morocco’s Multicultural Challenge
      Culture

      Amazigh Identity and Morocco’s Multicultural Challenge

      The US-Morocco-Israel Agreement and the Triumph of Pragmatism
      Opinion

      The US-Morocco-Israel Agreement and the Triumph of Pragmatism

      AllEditorialsEssaysLettersOp-EdsVoices
  • Lifestyle
    • Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco
      Culture

      Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco

      5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Sunscreen in Winter
      Health

      5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Sunscreen in Winter

      Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet
      Cuisine

      Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet

      Four Moroccans Participate in Jacquemus’ Latest Fashion Show
      Fashion

      Four Moroccans Participate in Jacquemus’ Latest Fashion Show

      ‘A Girl in a Blue Shirt’ 1st Israeli Book Translated to Arabic in Morocco
      Lifestyle

      ‘A Girl in a Blue Shirt’ 1st Israeli Book Translated to Arabic in Morocco

      AllCultureBook and Movie ReviewsHistoryProfiles and interviewsUpcoming Events
  • Features
    • Charifa Zemouri: Evidence Based Politics For a New Era
      Features

      Charifa Zemouri: Evidence Based Politics For a New Era in The Netherlands

      Wilders’ Party Wants Dutch Ministry of 'Remigration, De-Islamification’
      Features

      Wilders’ Party Wants Dutch Ministry of ‘Remigration, De-Islamification’

      Documentaries’ allure lies in narratives of unfiltered real events that might reveal shocking and unsettling truths.
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Six Shocking and Unsettling Documentaries You Must Watch

      Eleven of the Best Moroccan Podcasts Everyone Should Follow
      Book and Movie Reviews

      Eleven of the Best Moroccan Podcasts Everyone Should Follow

      Moroccan Visual Artist MACHIMA’s Mural Art in Morocco’s Cities
      Culture

      Moroccan Visual Artist MACHIMA’s Mural Art in Morocco’s Cities

  • Society
    • Morocco’s Mohammed V University to Send Professors to Teach in Prisons
      Morocco

      Morocco’s Mohammed V University to Send Professors to Teach in Prisons

      Morocco’s Aziz Akhannouch Urges Global Efforts to Combat Food Insecurity
      Economy

      Morocco’s Aziz Akhannouch Urges Global Efforts to Combat Food Insecurity

      Samir Machour Unsung Hero Who Helped Morocco Secure COVID-19 Vaccines
      Covid-19

      Samir Machour: Unsung Hero Who Helped Morocco Secure COVID-19 Vaccines

      DGSN, 2M TV to Raise Awareness of Violence Against Women in Morocco
      Morocco

      DGSN, 2M TV to Raise Awareness of Violence Against Women in Morocco

      UN Adopts Morocco-Sponsored Resolution on Protection of Religious Sites
      International

      UN Adopts Morocco-Sponsored Resolution on Protection of Religious Sites

      AllExpatriatesGender issuesPortraitsRamadanReligion
  • Education
    • Morocco Signs Two Agreements to Promote Inclusive Education
      Education

      Morocco Signs Two Agreements to Promote Inclusive Education

      Moroccan Universities to Adopt Bachelor System in 2021
      Education

      Moroccan Universities to Adopt Bachelor System in 2021

      African Union: Morocco Calls for Cooperation to Ensure Education
      Africa

      African Union: Morocco Calls for Cooperation to Ensure Education

      Morocco Records Significant Decline in School Dropouts in 2019-2020 Season
      Education

      Morocco Records Significant Decline in School Dropouts in 2019-2020 Season

      PJD Wants to Ban Moroccan Private Schools From Selling Textbooks
      Education

      PJD Wants to Ban Moroccan Private Schools From Selling Textbooks

  • Covid-19
    • COVID-19: Morocco Records 520 New Cases
      Covid-19

      COVID-19: Morocco Records 520 New Cases

      COVAX: How WHO is Fighting Unequal Distribution of Vaccines
      Covid-19

      COVAX: How WHO is Fighting Unequal Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines

      New Agreement to Cut Price of Rapid COVID-19 Tests by Half for Low-Income Countries
      Covid-19

      New Agreement to Cut Price of Rapid COVID-19 Tests for Low-Income Countries

      Morocco Records 925 New Cases, Has Tested 4.8 Million Citizens
      Covid-19

      Morocco Records 925 New Cases, Has Tested 4.8 Million Citizens

      Samir Machour Unsung Hero Who Helped Morocco Secure COVID-19 Vaccines
      Covid-19

      Samir Machour: Unsung Hero Who Helped Morocco Secure COVID-19 Vaccines

  • Western Sahara
    • South Africa Desperate to See Biden Change US Position on Western Sahara
      Morocco

      South Africa Desperate to See Biden Change US Position on Western Sahara

      Polisario Continues to Report on Fake War Amid Calm, Stability in Guerguerat
      Morocco

      Polisario Continues to Report on Fake War Amid Calm, Stability in Guerguerat

      Western Sahara: Algeria’s Bid to Secure Pro-Polisario Support Falls Flat
      Morocco

      Western Sahara: Algeria’s Bid to Secure Pro-Polisario Support Falls Flat

      Samir Bennis New US President Joe Biden Won’t Harm Morocco’s Interests
      Morocco

      Samir Bennis: Joe Biden Will Not Disrupt Morocco-US Strategic Alliance

      Western Sahara: Inhofe Continues to Promote Mischaracterizations on US Position
      Morocco

      Western Sahara: Inhofe Continues to Promote Mischaracterizations on US Position

      AllAutonomy planHistory
  • Home
  • Food
    • Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet
      Cuisine

      Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet

      Casablanca’s Franklin Roosevelt Starbucks Among World’s ‘Most Beautiful’
      Food

      Casablanca’s Franklin Roosevelt Starbucks Among World’s ‘Most Beautiful’

      Cuisine

      Moroccan Chef Hamid Miss Celebrates Morocco’s Cuisine in France

      Cuisine

      Moroccan Cuisine: Nine Must-Visit Restaurants in Rabat

      Olive Oil in Morocco: Health Benefits of Moroccan Virgin Olive Oil
      Cuisine

      Morocco’s Organic Olive Oil: Health Benefits of Moroccan Virgin Olive Oil

      AllHealth and DietRecipesRestaurant Reviews
  • Travel
    • 5 Historical Mausoleums You Should Visit in Morocco
      Culture

      5 Historical Mausoleums You Should Visit in Morocco

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit
      Culture

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit

      Laayoune Airport: Air traffic down 51% at the end of November
      Morocco

      Laayoune Airport: Air traffic down 51% at the end of November

      Royal Air Maroc to Launch New Flights From Casablanca To Dubai
      Morocco

      Royal Air Maroc to Launch New Flights From Casablanca To Dubai

      he City of Ouarzazate, Morocco Africa’s Hollywood
      Cinema

      The City of Ouarzazate, Morocco: Africa’s Hollywood

      AllExperiencesHotel ReviewsWhere to visit
  • Culture
    • Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco
      Culture

      Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco

      Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet
      Cuisine

      Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet

      Snail Slime Cosmetics: INDH, Chalale Atlas Empower Moroccan Women
      Culture

      Snail Slime Cosmetics: INDH, Chalale Atlas Empower Moroccan Women

      Scientists Discover World’s Oldest Starfish Fossil in Morocco
      Culture

      Scientists Discover World’s Oldest Starfish Fossil in Morocco

      Banned Moroccan Movie ‘About Some Meaningless Events’ Is Streaming Again
      Cinema

      Banned Moroccan Movie ‘About Some Meaningless Events’ Is Streaming Again

      AllBook and Movie ReviewsHistoryProfiles and interviewsUpcoming Events
  • Style
    • Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco
      Culture

      Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco

      5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Sunscreen in Winter
      Health

      5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Sunscreen in Winter

      Four Moroccans Participate in Jacquemus’ Latest Fashion Show
      Fashion

      Four Moroccans Participate in Jacquemus’ Latest Fashion Show

      Snail Slime Cosmetics: INDH, Chalale Atlas Empower Moroccan Women
      Culture

      Snail Slime Cosmetics: INDH, Chalale Atlas Empower Moroccan Women

      Smart Ways to Make 2021 a Better Year Than 2020
      Culture

      Smart Ways to Make 2021 a Better Year Than 2020

      AllFashionInterior DesignShopping
  • Places
    • “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19
      Casablanca

      “Reflet” Exhibition Promoting Art in Morocco Amid COVID-19

      Global Shapers Community Opens Hub in Morocco’s Laayoune
      Economy

      Global Shapers Community Opens Hub in Morocco’s Laayoune

      Casablanca Floods: Lydec Breaks Silence, Tries to Make Up
      Administrative

      Casablanca Floods: Lydec Breaks Silence, Tries to Make Up

      Collapsed Building in Casablanca Killed 3 Victims, Including 1 Child
      Casablanca

      Collapsed Building in Casablanca Killed 3 Victims, Including 1 Child

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit
      Culture

      Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit

      AllCasablancaFezMarrakechRabatTangier
  • Highlights
  • Events
  • Moroccans of the world
  • Media
  • Services
Home News Morocco Will Morocco Be the Arab Spring’s Great Success—Or Great Failure?

Will Morocco Be the Arab Spring’s Great Success—Or Great Failure?

By Max Fisher

Staff Writer
By
Staff Writer
-
Jul 1, 2011
Spread the love

By Max Fisher

July 1, 2011 Morocco, they say, is different. When post-World WarII  independence movements across North Africa were toppling European-imposed monarchies, Morocco’s independence party declared its allegiance to the king, Mohamed V. When colonial-era France deposed the king and replaced him with a puppet, the puppet, apparently unable to bear betraying the beloved monarch, quickly abdicated, recognizing Mohamed V as the true leader. And when the Arab spring protests spread across North Africa and the Middle East, only Morocco’s leadership seemed ready to respond with a peaceful, gradual liberalization of political autocracy. King Mohamed VI, grandson of Mohamed V, recently announced a transition that he said will “make Morocco a state that will distinguish itself by its democratic course.”

The country begins down that new course today, with a national referendum on a new constitution. Morocco, as always, is taking a uniquely Moroccan approach. Mohamed VI, who remains quite popular with large stretches of society, but who is nonetheless exactly as autocratic as his title implies, appears legitimately eager to deliver some kind of reform. Like his fellow Arab leaders, he initially ignored the pro-democracy protesters who rose up in his country on February 20. But when the demonstrations became impossible to ignore, Mohamed VI’s response has been to try and meet some of their demands, rather than to crush them by force. He hand-picked an assembly of scholars (some of them legitimately independent and sincerely pro-democratic) and asked them to draft a new constitution that would meet with his, and the country’s, approval.

The new constitution that Moroccans vote on today will invest unprecedented power in the civilian, democratically elected government; it will slowly liberalize a repressive political culture; and it will maintain the king’s position as ruler over the country. Though the prime minister will have a wide range of executive powers and though he must be a member of which democratically elected party holds the most seats, he is still selected from that party by the king, and many of powers require royal approval. Though the judiciary will become independent, the military will remain under total royal authority. And though religious freedom will be granted, Morocco will remain an officially Islamic state, with the king as the supreme religious leader. The long-oppressed ethnic Berbers would finally enjoy new rights, as would Moroccan women, but the press would remain forbidden from criticizing the king. In each new reform, there is the potential both for real liberalization and for, if the king wishes it, commitment to the status quo.

It’s possible — though unlikely — that turnout could be low, as it was during the 2007 Parliamentary elections. (Who cares about picking leaders for a Parliament with little real power?) It’s also possible that the youth and February 20 movements could succeed in persuading people to boycott the referendum, which they see as only legitimizing an autocratic government they insist must end. But Moroccans, many of whom have been demonstrating in support of the king, appear poised to follow Mohamed VI’s guidance and approve the new constitution.

What happens next will be, as with so many things in Morocco, up to the king. Whatever his actual intentions, he gives the impression of wanting to follow the Western European model of constitutional monarchies that gradually cede power to a civilian government. While those governments are today some of the most democratic in the world, they didn’t get there overnight. Great Britain took six and a half centuries between the Magna Carta, which began the process, and the Representation of the People Act of 1884, which finally extended a meaningful suffrage to a majority of Britons. Of course, Britain’s process was so slow in large part because democracy was the exception and because of external pressures to remain autocratic; today, democracy is the norm, and Morocco is under enormous pressure from the European governments on which it is so reliant to democratize.

It’s impossible to know whether the 47-year old Mohamed VI really wants to liberalize his country, or simply to give the impression of liberalization so as to keep his people and Western governments happy. In word, he has shown little sign of embracing democracy. “People have not stopped … comparing me with King Juan Carlo,” Mohamed VI said, in a September 4, 2001, interview, of the Spanish king who led the transition to democracy in the 1970s. “The Spanish monarchy has nothing in common with the Moroccan monarchy. … Moroccans want a strong, democratic, and executive monarchy.”

But Mohamed VI has, in fact, enacted some real reforms during his 12 years of rule, and he’s done it in ways that look remarkably similar to the same process he is leading today. In 2000, he appointed an advisory council (much like the council that wrote the new constitution) to explore the possibility of liberalizing Morocco’s gender laws, which, like so many in the region, were extremely restrictive. In 2003, they unveiled a sweeping list of reforms — greater legal autonomy for women, more progressive divorce laws, abolishing old laws that required women to seek a father or husband’s approval for legal decisions, etc. — which Mohamed VI quickly pushed to become law.

Allowing the king to lead Morocco’s transition away from a system that benefits him most, while a far more stable process than the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, is risky. Ostensibly, today will begin Morocco’s first step toward a democratic, constitutional monarchy. If all goes as planned, Morocco could become the great, quiet success story of the Arab Spring: the only country to democratize in partnership with, rather than despite, the government. But if the process stalls — whether because Mohamed VI loses his will, because democratic institutions fail, or, most likely, because the reforms are not enough to truly democratize — then Morocco will have quietly stifled its protest movement, making it one of the great failures of the Arab Spring. Whichever happens, Morocco’s path will be, as always, uniquely, exceptionally Moroccan.

Max Fisher is an associate editor at The Atlantic, where he edits and writes for the International channel. Follow him on Twitter

Originally published in the (The Atlantic), July 1, 2011.

Picture credit: Reuters

Facebook
Twitter
Linkedin
WhatsApp
Email
ReddIt
Pinterest
    Staff Writer

    RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

    Cristiano Ronaldo Refuses to Promote Tourism in Saudi Arabia
    International News

    Cristiano Ronaldo Refuses to Promote Tourism in Saudi Arabia

    Biden Administration to Uphold Israel’s ‘Normalization Agreements’
    International News

    Biden Administration to Uphold Israel’s ‘Normalization Agreements’

    COVID-19: Morocco Records 520 New Cases
    Covid-19

    COVID-19: Morocco Records 520 New Cases

    Israel's Cabinet Approves Deal to Improve Bilateral Ties With Morocco
    International

    Israel’s Cabinet Approves Deal to Improve Bilateral Ties With Morocco

    Ministry Of Finance: Morocco Has A Budget Deficit of $9.2 Billion
    Economy

    Ministry Of Finance: Morocco Has A Budget Deficit of $9.2 Billion

    COVAX: How WHO is Fighting Unequal Distribution of Vaccines
    Covid-19

    COVAX: How WHO is Fighting Unequal Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines

    MOST WATCHED VIDEOS
    Polisario Supporters Storm Moroccan Consulate General in Valencia

    Polisario Supporters Storm Moroccan Consulate General in Valencia

    Tamba François Koundouno - Nov 15, 2020
    Rania Sara Moroccan sisters the Voice Kids France

    The Voice Kids: French-Moroccan Sisters Amaze Judges to Reach Finals

    Diaspora Oct 4, 2020
    Video Shows Children Witnessing, Surviving Beirut Explosion

    Video Shows Children Witnessing, Surviving Beirut Explosion

    News Aug 5, 2020
    Beirut Explosion Leaves Royal Air Maroc Agency in Ruins

    Video: Beirut Explosion Leaves Royal Air Maroc Agency in Ruins

    International Aug 5, 2020
    ‘Morocco’s Warrior Women’ The Inspirational Riders Taking on Fantasia

    ‘Morocco’s Warrior Women’: The Inspirational Riders Taking on Fantasia

    Culture Jul 29, 2020
    MOST READ

    LIFESTYLE UPDATES

    Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco
    Culture Jan 24, 2021

    Michael Conduit: The Journey of A British Digital Artist in Morocco

    5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Sunscreen in Winter
    Health Jan 23, 2021

    5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Sunscreen in Winter

    Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet
    Cuisine Jan 23, 2021

    Moroccan Cuisine: Five Soups You Should Integrate Into Your Diet

    EXPERIENCES

    • Culture Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit Morocco’s Red City: Touristic Places in Marrakech You Must Visit
    • Experiences California to Morocco: A Student’s COVID-19 Diary of Self-Discovery California to Morocco: A Student’s COVID-19 Diary of Self-Discovery
    • Experiences Travel in Morocco: Exploring Tinmel Mosque, a Hidden Gem Travel in Morocco: Exploring Tinmel Mosque, a Hidden Gem

    MOST READ

    MOST READ OPINIONS
    [getmostpop category=11 range="last30days"]

    Latest Articles

    Cristiano Ronaldo Refuses to Promote Tourism in Saudi Arabia

    Biden Administration to Uphold Israel’s ‘Normalization Agreements’

    COVID-19: Morocco Records 520 New Cases

    Israel’s Cabinet Approves Deal to Improve Bilateral Ties With Morocco

    Ministry Of Finance: Morocco Has A Budget Deficit of $9.2 Billion

    Newsletter

    Invalid email address
    You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.
    Morocco World News

    About us

    Morocco World News: Championing Free Speech and Thoughtful Debate Through Journalistic Excellence.

    Morocco World News is dedicated to bringing the news of Morocco and the MENA region to a wide audience without bias or a political agenda.

    Contact us: [email protected]

    DMCA.com Protection Status

    Useful Links

    • About
    • Contributors
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Correspondents
    • Editorial Board
    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled

    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

    Non-necessary

    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.