January 31 – February 11, 2011
* In an article in World Defense Review (Moroccan Exceptionalism? February 10, 2011), J. Peter Pham, Senior Vice President of the American Committee on Foreign Policy and a professor at George Mason University, offers an analysis of why Morocco may be immune from the unrest sweeping Tunisia and Morocco. Pham writes that at least superficially Morocco would be a prime candidate for unrest – GDP is lower than in Tunisia and Egypt; a literacy rate of just above 50%; a higher infant mortality rate and lower life expectancy than in Tunisia and Morocco; a lower rate of educational attainment for women.
What Pham says sets Morocco apart includes the following:
- A long and cohesive political tradition
- The creation of an ambitious program of political reform by King Mohammed VI
- A liberalization of society that has accompanied political reforms, including a reform of the family code (Moudawana)
- A successful and widespread approach to countering terrorism
* Edward Gabriel, the former United States Ambassador to Morocco (1997-2001), makes another case for Moroccan “exceptionalism” in the op-ed pages of The Hill (Morocco is no Mideast DominoFebruary 7, 2011). He argues many of the points made by Peter Pham, and also stresses the unique nature of the relationship between King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people.
In fact, the king’s legitimacy in Morocco is, as importantly if not largely, the result of his efforts to redefine the citizen-state relationship through the kind of steady reforms that are lacking elsewhere in this region. Morocco has never held itself out as a model for others and has not undertaken these reforms in order to offer anyone any lessons. Reforms in Morocco are Moroccan inspired and have been the product of a consensus between the monarchy, political parties, civil society and the people themselves through a process of dialogue and public debate.
He also stresses the importance of the fact that the Moroccan reforms have not been made in response to demands or protests, but have grown organically. Amb. Gabriel is now a consultant to the Moroccan government.
* An American student’s perspective is expressed by Matt Schumann, a recent college graduate who is now teaching English in Morocco. (Will Protests Happen in Morocco? January 31, 2011). Schumann writes Why have the events in Tunisia and Egypt failed to generate the same reaction in Morocco as they have elsewhere in the Arab world?
His answer is twofold: 1) There is no credible opposition to King Mohammed VI who is well liked; and 2) Many of the well educated and more prosperous Moroccans who would be the ones to lead protests are already living abroad. They have spoken with their feet.
