Morocco as a Military Dictatorship: An Analysis of Royal Powers and Media Dynamics

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy where the king holds significant powers, unlike many constitutional monarchies in Europe, such as Spain and the United Kingdom, where monarchs play primarily symbolic roles. This article examines the lack of democracy in Morocco by analyzing the exceptional role and powers of the king and how these powers contrast with those of monarchs in democratic countries. Additionally, we will explore why Moroccan media constantly scrutinize Algeria, a nation where the president is elected, and why Moroccans do not seek to limit the king's powers to establish a symbolic monarchy similar to those in Spain or the United Kingdom.

Theoretical Framework

To understand the lack of democracy in Morocco, it is essential to examine the theoretical framework of liberal democracy and constitutional monarchies. According to the principles of liberal democracy, sovereignty resides in the people, who elect their representatives through free and fair elections. Modern constitutional monarchies, such as those in Spain and the United Kingdom, illustrate this separation of powers and the symbolic aspect of the monarch.

The Political System of Morocco

Morocco, under the reign of King Mohammed VI, operates differently. Although the 2011 constitution introduced some reforms aimed at democratizing the political system, the king retains extensive powers.

1. Executive Power: The king appoints the Prime Minister from the members of the party that won the most seats in the legislative elections. He also appoints key ministers, including those of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Islamic Affairs. This gives the king substantial control over the executive branch.

2. Legislative Power: The king can dissolve Parliament, issue royal decrees (dahirs) with the force of law, and address Parliament with speeches that set national policy directions. These prerogatives far exceed those of his European counterparts.

3. Judicial Power: The king is the guarantor of judicial independence and presides over the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, giving him direct influence over the judicial system.

4. Military Role: As the supreme commander of the Royal Armed Forces, the king has direct control over the military, which is not the case in European constitutional monarchies where military control is delegated to the civilian government.

Comparison with Democratic Monarchies

Monarchies in Spain and the United Kingdom illustrate a clear separation between the symbolic roles of the monarch and the executive, legislative, and judicial powers held by elected officials and independent institutions. In Spain, the king appoints the Prime Minister only after consulting elected representatives and has no direct power over key ministerial appointments. In the United Kingdom, the monarch strictly follows the advice of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, and their functions are mainly ceremonial and formal.

Consequences for Democracy

Maintaining substantial royal powers in Morocco has several implications for the quality of democracy in the country:

1. Lack of Democratic Accountability: Key ministers appointed by the king are not directly accountable to Parliament or the people, limiting democratic accountability.

2. Influence on the Legislative Process: The king's ability to dissolve Parliament and issue dahirs limits the independence and effectiveness of the legislative institution.

3. Control of the Judiciary: The king's influence over the judicial system calls into question judicial independence, essential for a democratic rule of law.

4. Central Role in Military Affairs: The king's direct control over the military can deter significant political opposition and maintain an authoritarian status quo.

Moroccan Media's Focus on Algeria

An intriguing question is why Moroccan media spend so much time scrutinizing Algeria and commenting on its political life when, constitutionally, Algeria appears more democratic with an elected president. Several factors may explain this phenomenon:

1. Distraction: By focusing on Algeria's problems and dysfunctions, Moroccan media can divert citizens' attention from Morocco's own democratic challenges. This diversion strategy can help maintain the political status quo and avoid discussions about limiting royal powers.

2. Regional Rivalry: Historically, Morocco and Algeria have a geopolitical rivalry. This tension is often exacerbated by the media, which exploit Algeria's political issues to strengthen nationalist sentiment in Morocco and legitimize Moroccan government actions.

3. Media Control: Moroccan media are often subject to government and royal pressures, influencing their coverage. Criticizing Moroccan political structures can be risky for journalists, whereas commenting on Algerian affairs offers a safer alternative.

Details of Moroccan Media Attacks on Algeria

Moroccan media use various angles to attack and criticize Algeria, fueling the rivalry between the two countries:

1. Governance Criticisms: Moroccan media regularly highlight weaknesses and political crises in Algeria, such as periods of governmental instability, mass protests, and allegations of corruption among Algerian political elites. By emphasizing these issues, the media seek to portray Morocco as a more stable and better-governed country.

2. Security Issues: Reports often focus on security problems in Algeria, including terrorism threats and internal tensions. This focus allows Moroccan media to divert attention from internal security issues and project an image of Algeria as a less safe country.

3. Territorial Conflicts: The Western Sahara is a recurring subject in Moroccan media attacks on Algeria. Moroccan media frequently accuse Algeria of supporting the Polisario Front and interfering in Moroccan affairs. This narrative is used to justify Morocco's positions internationally and reinforce nationalist sentiment.

4. Economic Comparisons: Moroccan media often compare Morocco's economy to Algeria's, highlighting Morocco's economic successes while underscoring Algeria's economic difficulties, such as dependence on hydrocarbons and challenges in economic diversification.

5. Human Rights: Although both countries have human rights issues, Moroccan media focus on human rights violations in Algeria to divert attention from international criticism of Moroccan practices.

The Military Regime in Morocco

Contrary to the frequent claims of Moroccan media that Algeria is under a military regime, it is crucial to note that the real military regime is in Morocco. King Mohammed VI is the supreme commander of the Royal Armed Forces, holding direct and total control over the country's military affairs. This position grants the king not only symbolic but also practical authority over the armed forces, unlike in Algeria, where the president is elected by the people and military control is more institutionalized and less centered on a single person. This contrast highlights one of the reasons why Moroccan democracy is limited, with a concentration of military and political power in the hands of the king.

The Catastrophic Human Rights Situation in Morocco

Human rights in Morocco are another critical dimension of the lack of democracy in the country. Despite international commitments and announced reforms, the human rights situation remains concerning. Reports from international organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International regularly highlight severe violations, including:

1. Repression of Freedom of Expression: Journalists, bloggers, and activists are often harassed, arrested, and imprisoned for expressing critical opinions of the government or the king. Defamation and lese-majesty laws are used to stifle dissent.

2. Torture and Ill-Treatment: Allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention continue to surface. Those accused of terrorism or political crimes are particularly vulnerable to these abuses.

3. Social and Economic Injustices: Morocco experiences deep economic and social inequalities. Rural and peripheral regions are often neglected in terms of economic development and access to public services. Unemployment, particularly among the youth, remains high, and economic opportunities are unevenly distributed.

4. Women's and Minority Rights: Although progress has been made in some areas, women and minorities, including the Amazigh, continue to face systemic discrimination and inequalities. Domestic violence and forced marriages remain pressing issues.

Conclusion

Morocco's political system, despite apparent democratic reforms, remains largely dominated by a monarchy with exceptional powers. The comparison with democratic constitutional monarchies in Spain and the United Kingdom highlights the lack of separation of powers in Morocco and the persistent challenges to establishing a fully functioning democracy. The focus of Moroccan media on Algeria raises questions about media dynamics and strategies for managing public opinion. To progress toward a more authentic democracy, deep reforms are needed to reduce the king's powers and strengthen the country's democratic institutions. Citizens must be encouraged to engage in this process rather than diverting their attention to external affairs. The human rights situation and social injustice in Morocco demonstrate that true democracy cannot flourish without respect for fundamental rights and economic and social equity.