The Use of Derision in the Moroccan Press in Response to Algerian Political Events: A Psychoanalytic Analysis

This article examines the frequent use of derision in the Moroccan press when covering serious political events, such as Algeria’s recent military parade on November 1, 2024, and the decision to impose visas on Moroccan nationals. Taking a psychoanalytic perspective, it explores how and why this defense mechanism is activated in Moroccan media and the symbolic rivalry it reflects. The study aims to shed light on the psychological implications and unconscious motivations behind this discourse, seeking to understand how derision reveals underlying tensions in Moroccan-Algerian relations.

Relations between Morocco and Algeria have historically been marked by rivalry—political, ideological, and territorial—heightened by ongoing conflicts over sovereignty, borders, and regional influence. Within this context, the Moroccan press often takes a sarcastic, mocking tone in its coverage of Algerian political actions and decisions. This recourse to derision in the face of significant events, like the Algerian military parade or the visa imposition, uncovers psychological stakes and unconscious processes worthy of analysis. Using psychoanalytic theory, this article delves into the symbolic and emotional dimensions of this phenomenon.

I. Derision as a Defense Mechanism: A Freudian Perspective

Freud conceptualized laughter and derision as defense mechanisms that deflect anxiety and channel internal tensions. In the case of the Moroccan press, mockery directed at Algerian political events can be seen as a defensive reaction to a situation perceived as threatening or anxiety-inducing. Algeria’s decision to impose a visa requirement on Moroccans, for instance, represents a symbolic act of closure that could be perceived as an affront to Moroccan national dignity. Through mockery, journalists appear to transform feelings of frustration or powerlessness into a form of symbolic superiority.

II. Derision as an Attempt to Reverse Power Dynamics: Object Relations Theory

Object relations theory, developed by psychoanalysts such as Melanie Klein, suggests that individuals and groups often project negative feelings onto the "other" to stabilize their identity. Derision toward Algeria can be seen as a collective projection aiming to strengthen Moroccan national cohesion in the face of a perceived rival. By symbolically belittling Algeria through sarcasm, the Moroccan press temporarily reverses the power dynamics, attributing weaknesses or failures to Algeria (such as perceptions of outdated military equipment). This approach may be interpreted as a means of national affirmation by devaluing the other, thereby reinforcing Moroccan collective identity.

III. Fraternal Rivalry and the Oedipus Complex

In psychoanalysis, the concepts of fraternal rivalry and the Oedipus complex can shed light on the conflictual dynamic between Morocco and Algeria, often likened to that of "enemy brothers." The relationship between the two countries, characterized by shared cultural and historical similarities but also competition for regional influence, mirrors the tensions of Oedipal rivalry, where each side seeks to differentiate itself. By using derision to comment on Algeria’s political and military decisions, the Moroccan press appears to replay an Oedipal scenario of competition, aiming to surpass the rival perceived as a paternal figure of power.

IV. Derision as an Outlet for Internal Sociopolitical Frustrations

Social psychoanalysis posits that public displays of mockery or aggressive humor can serve as outlets for internal frustrations. Morocco faces its own social and economic challenges, and mockery directed at Algeria could symbolize a displacement of internal frustrations toward an external enemy, allowing the public to divert attention from its own difficulties. This "displacement" provides an appearance of control over the situation while venting accumulated resentments.

V. The Paradox of Admiration and Aggression: The Notion of Ambivalence

According to some psychoanalysts, mockery may also reveal ambivalence, where unacknowledged admiration coexists with aggression. Fascination with Algeria’s ability to organize a military parade or take autonomous measures (like imposing visas) can provoke unconscious feelings of envy, transformed into mockery to minimize their impact. Derision thus becomes a way to diminish the perceived value of these actions, shielding the Moroccan collective ego from feelings of inferiority or hidden dependence.

Conclusion

The persistent derision in the Moroccan press regarding Algerian political actions reveals complex psychological processes where rivalry, projection, and ambivalence play a central role. Analyzing these mechanisms through a psychoanalytic lens shows that journalistic sarcasm, far from being trivial, reflects deep emotional dynamics and unconscious strategies for managing interstate tensions. By resorting to mockery, the Moroccan press seems to navigate between collective ego protection, anxiety defense, and national identity assertion. However, while this discourse may temporarily strengthen national cohesion, it risks locking Moroccan-Algerian relations into a cycle of symbolic conflict, hindering any constructive rapprochement efforts.

— Belgacem Merbah