![[AFP/Georges Gobet] Malian President Dioncounda Traore and European Parliament President Martin Schulz hold a joint press conference in Brussels.](/awi/images/2013/05/24/130524Feature1Photo1-90_59.jpg)
![[Jamel Arfaoui] Visitors of all ages visit Tunisia's newly inaugurated Bourguiba Museum.](/awi/images/2013/05/24/130524Feature2Photo1-90_59.jpg)
![[Jemal Oumar] Mauritanian activist Bedou Ould Salek is working with young people to promote a culture of tolerance.](/awi/images/2013/05/24/130524Feature3Photo1-90_59.jpg)
![[File] AQIM leader Ahmed Abu Abdul-Elah Al-Jigli issued a new audio message warning the Tunisian government against cracking down on salafists.](/awi/images/2013/05/23/130523Feature1Photo1-90_59.jpg)
2007-02-16
Study shows Morocco as model for reform in the Arab world
By Adil Dekkaki for Magharebia in Washington – 16/02/07
A study titled "Arab Reform and Foreign Aid: Lessons from Morocco" was conducted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, to evaluate the experience of Morocco in the field of economic and cultural reform. The authors of the study -- Haim Malka and John Alterman -- conducted a series of interviews with hundreds of Moroccans from various sectors, including members of the government, university teaching staff, journalists, and members of non-governmental and civil society organizations.
Evaluating reforms in Morocco
The study states that the King Mohammed VI, has embraced changes in the country's political, economic and social fields over past years. As a result, an extensive debate is currently under way in Morocco regarding democracy and power, and there is an indication that neutral reform is taking place.
![[Getty Images] King Mohammed VI](/awi/images/2007/02/16/070216-report1-650_429.jpg)
The study also shows that the participation of citizens in political life has risen considerably over past years, since the scope of human rights, individual liberties and women’s rights has been widened, and journalists now are testing the limits permitted by the government in the field of freedom of opinion and expression.
There is considerable and evident consensus among different groups in Morocco that priority should be given to political reform and social change. However, the report shows that the image of Morocco is not all rosy. There is some concern over the future of the country, particularly as Morocco is suffering from difficult economic and social problems like rising unemployment, the ongoing conflict over the Western Sahara and the risk of terrorism.
The study shows the reforms that were adopted by the late king of Morocco, Hassan II, during the 1990s were all positive and noticeable developments. They did however lead to a greater consolidation of power in the hands of king than previously, instead of achieving the goal of drawing the parties and civil society organisations into the running of the country’s affairs.
The challenges and stumbling blocks experienced by the reform process and the changes in many of the Arab states over the past decades have not affected the reform process in Morocco. In the eyes of many international observers, Morocco has become an exemplary and outstanding model for Arab reform. The study attributes this to Morocco itself choosing to adopt a reform agenda, and endeavouring to obtain foreign aid, and to this reform agenda not being imposed on from the outside. Western countries efforts were not focused on launching the reform process in Morocco, but rather on encouraging a programme of reform which the Moroccan government itself originally began and pursued.
The nature of the amendments and reforms
The study indicates that it is possible to divide the latest amendments in Morocco into two basic categories. The first relates to individuals in relation to society and to the government. The amendments that were adopted within this framework include the changes to the Family Code; the formation of the Justice and Reconciliation Committee; the human development initiative; and openings in politics for Islamists and other political groupings.
The second category of reform includes the composition and functioning of the Moroccan government. Economic reforms -- privatisation, opening up economic sectors to foreign investment, relaxing the restrictions imposed on investment, reviewing the Journalism Law, and parliamentary and judicial reform -- have all been implemented.
Morocco is developing quickly with regard to reform, but the report emphasises that time will tell whether Morocco is moving sufficiently fast in this regard. It is too soon to describe the reforms adopted by Morocco as a success story -- the main indications of success will appear over the coming years.
Lessons to be learned
According to the authors, Morocco provides a valuable lesson in political and economic reform, which others in the Arab world can draw on. The Moroccan experiment in the field of reform exposes the importance of the government taking a leading role in the setting-up and managing of the reform process, since the monarchy in Morocco is the real driving force for the adoption of reforms as it made them a strategic choice for its political programme, and thus gave the process of change thrust, strength and efficacy.
The Moroccan model confirms that it is possible to adopt political and economic reform simultaneously, and that the processes of political and economic reform support and assist each other. Morocco has also proved that it is possible to accommodate Islamist movements and bring them into the political process successfully, as shown by the important experiment of the Justice and Development Party’s participation in political activities in Morocco.
An important lesson to draw from the Moroccan experiment, the study concludes, is that reform must be accompanied by a genuine domestic desire for change.
Subscribe to our newsletter and get Magharebia's latest articles delivered to your inbox.
![[Imrane Binoual] Members of the organising committee, Chairman of the Moroccan Centre for Strategic Studies, Mohamed Benhamou (left) and Director General of the Center for Strategic Studies, Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi.](/awi/images/2013/05/21/130521GalleryPhoto1-271_179.jpg)
![[Mohamed Foily] ACS Ksar secure Mauritania league lead by beating Police on Day 22.](/awi/images/2013/05/20/130520Feature3Photo1-190_125.jpg)
![[Jamel Arfaoui] Tunisian security forces continue to pursue al-Qaeda linked terrorists in Jebel Chaambi.](/awi/images/2013/05/16/130516Feature2Photo1-190_125.jpg)
![[AFP/Abdelhak Senna] Rescue workers transport the bodies of victims killed in Casablanca, early on May 17th, 2003.](/awi/images/2013/05/17/130515ReportagePhoto1-190_125.jpg)
POST YOUR COMMENT 22
a muslim 2009-8-29
someone commented above that the Morocco is a democratic country. well the news is that it is not, the king rules well as he pleases, there is no freedom of anything except that the girls are much freely available. the price of democracy, few dollars
0 Likes
fatema zahra 2008-11-23
well i am amazed to see that my country is moving forward i am just 20 but i noticed than in the last ten years things changed a great deal press has more freedom people are not as oppressed as they used to be.women have more rights than before yes we are suffering from an economical crises but the whole world is even America so lets be more optimistic and hope for the best for Morocco and all the Arab countries.
0 Likes
احمد 2007-12-17
Moroccan politics are still confined to some beliefs_ The Sahara is Moroccan and will remain so.
0 Likes
Nina 2007-3-16
I live in the US and i am proud to be a Moroccan. My family is partly Algerian, mainly Moroccan. I lived on 3 continents, outside Morocco, but NOTHING can be compared to Morocco. Let us hope these territorial issues, this islamist current born from ignorance of our own religion, this boldness and Kellet Lehya due to indecent satellite programs will come to an end and that we will be able to take advantage of our country as we all deserve. Peace out.
0 Likes
Anti mercenaire 2007-3-16
Algerian brothers are furious, they were brainwashed by their regime, what a pity...And for us moroccan if Algeria is fine we're fine too.
0 Likes
mystapha 2007-3-7
i lifed for 31year in holland but i came bak too marokko there is no outher country in the arabic world that have so much freedom like marokko
0 Likes
simo 2007-3-7
Hello everybody, and thanks to Magharebia. I just wanted to tell Mahdi that Moulay Rachid actually lives in Morocco. The EL KHABAR newspaper tells that Moulay Rachid lives in the USA and his mother in France : just a damn-fool thing to say. Dear Madhi, read the moroccan newspapers and look at the moroccan TV to get better quality informations about what's happening in Morocco. Long live to Morocco, and long live to algerian people !
0 Likes
Anonymous 2007-3-2
Once again, Mahdi & Co. are back with this Algerian crap that airs whatever. Moulay Rachid is still in Morocco. Morocco moves forward, the neighbour country is dragging behind, that's all.
0 Likes
mahdi 2007-2-26
Moulay Rachid leaves for the USA, along with his cousin Moulay Hicham. His mother lives in France. King Mohamed VI cannot even find support within his own family. He had to pay a doubtful US agency to grant him a good democracy certificate! What a great idea!!! This must be a dream!!! Please gentlemen, be serious!!
0 Likes
Anas 2007-2-22
Sir, this is a good analysis, everyone gives his opinion. Fact is that Morocco now is an open country, where democracy and monarchy help develop a country that attracts more foreign investors, retired or just tourists. Tourism records a hike (just one sign among others). This shows optimism from all stakeholders coming to this country. Things will evolve over time, but king Mohamed VI could already give some democratic, economic and social impetus that encourages youth to get involved by his side: social housing, investment, associations. The stock exchange recorded amazing figures in 2006. This confidence fosters this kind of study, not some biased idea of a study funded by Morocco. Lets be honest, the developing strength of our region lies in Maghreb development, thanks to its geographical strategic position. Let's be open, more supportive, instead of turning to the US or the EU that already help many African countries. And please, stop this easy hypocritical criticism. Morocco evolves at its own pace in the right direction, and other Arab countries will follow. Model or not, debate is open.
0 Likes
Debbarh 2007-2-21
I support the reforms, initiatives and policies of King Mohammed VI and his government. I admire the speed and quality of projects implemented so far in the political, commercial and economic domains. I guess that one should be very optimistic about the future of Lablad. Unlike our neigbours and other Arab states, Morocco knowns where it is heading. Insha'Allah, the economic and social challenges of Morocco will decrease after we settle the Sahara problem. I hope that the Algerian officials "yahdihum'Allah" and realise that the future lies in the unity of the Maghreb nations states. "Morocco was never beated in war and peace", they should remmeber.. Nationally, I think that the problems of bribery, coruption and hierachy in Rabat and regions are time-consuming to takle overnight. I wish that parents would consider educating their children home against these phenomena in order that Morocco get rid of them in the near future. Laws are important but education is a desicive remedy.
0 Likes
Soumya 2007-2-21
It's a fact, Morocco moves forward, slowly but surely. Progress made since the crowning of the king are huge. Corruption, clientelism, gap between the rich and the poor still are present. But people know it, thanks to a free press, organizations such as Transparency International, human rights associations, freedom in the media. Thanks to transparency, everything is now known about Morocco. Morocco achieved this first step successfully. Morocco is a monarchy where the king is respected. All world monarchies are like this. As a reply to Nouba, i cant imagine why kissing the hand of a queen would be more legitimate than the one of a king. This is sexism!We are not revolutionaries in Morocco, no populists! The vast majority of people here as very much attached to monarchy, even more for the last ten years. We learn from History. Our conservatives have their own party, we dont expell them as our neighbours did, we integrate them, because multipartism has been a reality here for the last 40 years. We are allergic to one-party systems, these so-called revolutionary parties. Morocco is not a rich country, but we fight against poverty with means at hand. The gap between the well-offs and the poor is a shame, but a new middle class is emerging. Morocco is reconstructing thanks to men and women, who are now equal to men. Moroccan civil society is the most dynamic in the Arab world. Despite its social difficulties, this country takes political risks: a project to put a peaceful end to Western Sahara conflit. Its own Sahara. Morocco moves forward. Moroccans know.
0 Likes
Soumya 2007-2-21
Hello, Very interesting this study and thanks for this unbiased article. Morocco is changing. No doubt about that. It's a fact. It's the place where I live. We moroccans are reformers not populists or revolutionaries. We are very critical about our society "but" proud of our history and proud to live in a stable Kingdom. "The mani pulite" opreation against corruption in Morocco is a not a joke. Corruopt officials are now arrested. It's a reality. Men and women are equal. Our recent, brutal, history is now nearly behind us. You can not compare the press freedom in Morocco with any other arab country. There is no censorship on the net. Morocco is a not a rich State, but, democracy is making it's way. An optimistic moccan
0 Likes
Karima 2007-2-21
Nouba, If you think that looked like it came from the stone ages then why don't you go and take a look at Thai Monarchy. They bow and lie down on the floor to their king. He is considered as a God nothing less and nothing more. But more importantly they love him and would give their lives for him. Please note that I don't mean to say that's it's time to take a serious look at out protocole
0 Likes
Acid-Err0r 2007-2-21
Protocol, Miss... Protocol!! It is an old patrimony, why give it up??
0 Likes
nouba 2007-2-20
Yes, but there remains much to be done, starting with changing Moroccan citizens behavior toward the king. Example: to see a 70-year old man run to Mr M6 to kiss his hand and kneel before him... I thought stone age was over. Obviously, we dont need time machines. Prehistorical era is what we have in Morocco.
0 Likes
Acid-Err0r 2007-2-19
Mr Abdaljalal !! I cannot prevent you from saying what you think, but i could try to make you change your mind on various topics that you mentioned: 1- You wrote : "Democracy doesnt rhyme with Moroccan monarchy". I say that Moroccan monarchy rhymes with democracy 2- You wrote: "Western Sahara colonization", i answer there is no Western Sahara, just Sahara, which is Moroccan 3- You wrote: "Their deprivation of the most basic rights", fyi, i am 25, and when i was in Morocco, i enjoyed more and more rights!!!! Last, i am 99.99 percent sure that your words sound 100 percent Algerian. Salam !!!
0 Likes
Owice Aittaleb 2007-2-19
I think that this was a very legitimate study, I can’t see what is not true/real about it. There is a big progress in morocco in terms of modernization, civil liberties, and a recognizable economic growth. In terms of democracy, it is in progress. “It is too soon to describe the reforms adopted by Morocco as a success story -- the main indications of success will appear over the coming years.” We have to understand that Morocco CAN NOT CHANGE OVER NIGHT it is a process that takes time, careful politics other wise morocco will end up like Algeria. More importantly we should not forget our constitution, we voted yes for it. Morocco is a Muslim Country, what I would like to say is journalists have to respect and obey that, we are not the United States, even the US is becoming too Christian. So let’s have some dignity, I think that’s what is missing among Some Moroccans. I welcome anyone for discussion Owice Aittaleb. A Moroccan Citizen
0 Likes
بن افقير 2007-2-19
Mohamed VI needs to hold corrupt officials accountable first!
0 Likes
محمد بدير 2007-2-17
change in Morocco must be implemented under the auspices of King Mohammed VI and under his rule projects are built such as import export, visa allocations and cooperation. Mohammed Badir. CEO of Nana Import-Export
0 Likes
djalal 2007-2-17
This site is even more royalist than the Moroccan king himself. One could think Morocco is colonizing America! Please, behave! Democracy doesn’t rhyme with Moroccan monarchy, narco-state and daily harassment, plus the Western Sahara issue and repression against thousands of Sahrawis in the occupied territories. A king who does not recognize international legacy, bribes journalists and heads of states to maintain the status quo in Western Sahara and push millions of Moroccans to forget their daily misery and their deprivation of elementary rights. Is this progress in Morocco? Please, be serious!
0 Likes
Toufik 2007-2-17
I wonder who paid for the study. Very probably the Moroccan government hence the clear bias.
0 Likes