Is Morocco the third way? Foreign Policy

Mr Traub visited Morocco last summer seeking an answer to this question. He was told that Morocco had been isolated for centuries by its geographical position,bordered by the sea and not conquered by the Ottoman empire like Algeria and Tunisia.The Alouite dynasty has ruled Morocco for four centuries. Morocco reveres its monarch as a direct descendant of the Prophet. King Mohammed VI is widely popular andseen to be actively engaged in promoting the interests of his people and uniting its diverse interests, classes, tribes and regions.

For this reason The King introduced a new constitution limiting his powers which was approved by an overwhelming majority  in a referendum.Morocco is notlike Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. As US Ambassador Sam Kaplan said recently " Moroccans are not unhappy and ruled over by a dictator".It has, instead, embarked on "a third path of reform with stability," as Mustapha El Khalfi, the government's spokesman and its communications minister, told Mr Traub.

He asks if this is true, noting that the government of Abdelilah Benkirane and the Palace are taking time to thresh out their new working relationship and the limits of their powers inthe new constitution.There are indeed red lines and limits and the monarchy protects its prerogatives to avoid the chaos prevalent in Tunisia ,Egypt and Libya. Algeria has also not experienced internal disruption  and is seeking to reform in a totally different direction to Morocco.The way the King and his advisers dealt with the upsurge of the Arab Spring was an historic victory over what could have been serious internal disruption. The 20 February movement was joined by the islamists but only for a short time. Demonstrations were allowed and except for some disturbances inthe north of the country order was maintained. The creation of the new constitution and its ratification by popular referendum  was a firm response to a challenge which rocked other countries in the region. Tunisia,Egypt and Libya are still tryingto put together their consitutionsayear and more after the revolutions which swept their former rulers aside. King Abdallah of Jordan a throughly progressive monarch is only now embarking ona reform programme overshadowed by the spreading conflict in Syria.

Following the reign of his father Hassan II  and theyears of lead King Mohammed VI took time toestablish his relationship with his subjects and introduced a relaxed style of government. He was  and is solicitous of the poor and underpriviledged. No one forsaw the eruption of the Arab Sring uprisings which were spontaneous but no one reacted in a more steadfast manner than King Mohammed VI. He knew his people and the vast majority respect him because of his clear efforts to obtain a better condition of life for his subjects.

Poverty and the effects of unemployment are not easy to solve in today's global economic climate but an effort is clearly being made which has been underway for sometime, again these efforts have been continuing and not disrupted as in neighbouring countries.

There are  enormous problems of illiteracy and high unemployment among the young and the King did clearly acknowledge that the education suystem needed to change and focuse on educating the young so that they would think for themselves , be entrepreneurial and find their own work solutions with government assistance.  Mr Traub rightly points to unemployment and lack of social mobility as adding to the upsurge of popular protest in the Arab Spring. Poverty in Morocco is far too high and there is a large gap between rich and poor. but when they were asked to vote the Moroccan people chose wisely the path of stability rather than disruption. It is natural that there is jealousy of the wealthy by the poor, that is always the case.

However  King Mohammed VI is part of Morocco's complex character. He is as Mr Traub notes very rich but he is also egalitarian and close to his people whilst also being remote, Mr Traub tried to get close to him and failed. He has given up some of his power but he is omnipresent. Protests are levelled at some of the high officials who work behind the palace walls unseen. The application of private public partnerships has been intellegently applied, Morocco's infrastructural revolution has been impressive and the King has won the support and respect of the US and the EU. Morocco is the largest recepient of EU aid , no mean achievement for a country without its own hydrocarbon resources. 

The King is, as Mr Traub points out, immensely rich and 20 February activists criticise prominent members of the Makhezan. A spokesman form the King's holding SNI acknowledges that the reinvestment policy of the King's interests are not well understood by the public, perhaps also a better communication policy might help.

Mr Traub points to the fact that "what was acceptable yesterday is no longer acceptable today "and that public expectations among young people are higher. This is true and it is part of the challenge Morocco faces..

He concludes that Morocco will not achieve a  full democracy with a government and a feudal court which is unanswerable to the people and that there is no third way.

It is true that there are many problems not least the economy and unemployment. A youth that feels itself lacking in opportunity and a future-but this is the wolrd we live in which now harks back to the depression. In some countries monarchy has a way of survival, Britain being one example but there are others. Monarchy is not incompatible with democracy so long as  it keeps in touch with the people. The British monarchy stumbled following the death of Princess Diana which was a catalyst for change. The monarchy responded to the criticism and has survived with renewed respect. British people still by a majority feel that the monarchy is important to them as a role model and a visible incarnation of the state but separated from  the cut and thrust of politics.There is no doubt that the majority of Moroccans feel even more strongly about their King.