The national initiative for human development and the dynamics of regime legitimacy

Dissertant

BuGhanu, Amal

Thesis advisor

Sater, James

Comitee Members

Ross, Eric
Grant, Audra

University

Al Akhawayn University

Faculty

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department

International Studies and Diplomacy

University Country

Morocco

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2006

English Abstract

A regime’s stability depends on its degree of legitimacy.

Since independence in 1956, the Moroccan monarchy has reigned and governed over a relatively stable political system.

Despite the many challenges that the monarchy’s authority has faced, its ability to adapt to the evolution, to modernization and to think before hand at strategies to overcome challenges enabled it to drive the country ahead while ensuring the perpetuation of the fundamentals of its rule.

It appears then that the basic formula for the monarchy’s survival has been a combination of traditional means of legitimacy of the dynasty, which pre date the colonial era, and of modem ones (appeal to modernization, democratization and socio-economic development).

It is assumed that over years, as modem values get more and more infused in the society and as the latter gets more aware of its rights, its political demands increase and the government has to respond effectively and rapidly before losing popular support.

Moreover, the same effects of modernization reduce the space of maneuvering of the monarchy which, as society becomes more and more modernized, can no longer count exclusively on coercive means to expand its authority as it has been the case in the past.

Over the years, it is argued that while the state has increasingly relied on modem means of governing such as the bureaucracy, its institutions are not yet fully modernized.

As a result, it seems that in the absence of strong structural means for legitimacy, notably democratic institutions and rule of law, monarchs have sought to achieve personal legitimacy.

It seems that under the new reign same strategies for legitimacy are used.

It is argued that King Mohamed VI is seeking to monopolize all areas of power and to increase his popularity through a policy of proximity.

At the same time, he is extolling socio-economic development of which he portrays himself as the chief precursor.

It is understood that the reforms introduced at the levels of human rights, the economic development projects and the national initiative for human development are strategies used by the monarch to increase his legitimacy.

In parallel to the emphasis on modem credos, the monarch resorts to traditional sources and strategies of legitimacy to balance the effects of modernization.

The monarch reinvigorates the monarchy’s religious, traditional and historical legitimacies to preserve the basis of the dynasty’s rule which enabled it to remain in power up to now.

Main Subjects

Engineering & Technology Sciences (Multidisciplinary)

No. of Pages

129

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-591419