Morocco after the “revolution”. Directions of social and political changes

With few exceptions the Arab world has made a big progress toward political liberalization in the recent two years. Morocco could be a model to follow for other countries if it sustains current direction of political change. The King Muhammad VI decided to lead important reforms: amendment to the Constitution, separation of the structures of power and independence of the judiciary. In this way, the situation has not led to signifiant outburst of citizen anger and rioting like in a number of Arab states. Political and social reforms were initiated by the King addressing the requests and needs of the society, for example the reform of family code called Mudawwana. Muhammad VI recognized the multicultural roots of Moroccan society, confirmed gender equality and extended the freedom of speech. Yet, these changes did not address the needs of all social groups. Demands for more responsive and accountable government, pressures for economic reforms, and greater pluralism in the shaping of public policy arose in Morocco. Nevertheless, opposition considered these changes insufficient, given the scale of youth unemployment, lack of prospects, failure of woman’s rights and crisis of education. In Morocco state legitimacy does not decline because of a particular position of the King, religious legitimacy of power and specific political culture of Moroccan society. According to many analysts, the Kingdom of Morocco did not dismantle the basic structures of power, especially the influential elite institution – machzen