The Justice and Development Party in Moroccan Local Politics
This article analyzes the performance of the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) in Moroccan local politics from 2003 to 2009, using a variety of data sources including interviews, municipal budgets, and audit reports. We find that the PJD’s campaign and candidates were significantly different from Moroccan political norms. The outcomes of audits and budget patterns show governance in towns where the PJD was elected differed only in those where the party had high electoral support in 2003, allowing it to govern with a small coalition.
Legitimacy and “Transitional Continuity” in a Monarchical Regime: Case of Morocco
ABSTRACT The Arab uprisings and outbreak of mass protest in many countries in the Arab world, requesting the change of regimes and political leaders, translate a deep malaise in the state-society relationship and an alarming crisis of the state legitimacy. Hence, this paper seeks to understand the intriguing nature of the Moroccan political system and its legitimacy formula as a monarchical regime. Using an integrated conceptual framework, this paper evaluates the Moroccan regime’s legitimacy by considering the justificatory principles and normative sources of its authority in addition to examining the degree of consent from the people and exploring the relation between legitimacy and performance. For that purpose, a case method is adopted using a narrative approach combined with a historical institutional perspective showing a path dependency, and revealing a “transitional continuity” in Morocco displaying a process of change while maintaining a consistent pattern over time.
Monarchy and Political Reform in Morocco
Morocco's new king, Mohamed VI, has two alternatives: He can invent a new "ruling bargain," prolonging his father's authoritarian rule in a new guise, or he can spearhead serious political reforms.