The official discourse of the Moroccan authorities and their allies in the greening of their public policies: modernisation of authoritarianism, international insertion and the fight against climate change

Abstract

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one that is largely characterized by authoritarianregimes. Much traditional scholarship writes many of these regimes off as anti democratic, and hencenegate the possibility to work meaningfully and effectively with these regimes toward important globalgoals. By engaging in a post-democratic approach this paper looks beyond what Morocco is lacking inthe way of democratic principles and norms and instead focuses on the beneficial action it is taking tofight climate change domestically, and ultimately work with the international community to contributeto global climate goals. This paper explores the many initiatives the Moroccan regime is undertaking atits own behest, while exploring the key actors in these activities as well as the main impetus for doingso. Ultimately it builds data toward conclusions that although the Moroccan regime is doing this is largepart to further solidify and legitimize its own power, it is simultaneously taking important actions thatare beneficial to its own people as well as the rest of the world. In this sense the authoritarian Moroccanregime is combating climate change, as a means to maintain and bolster its own grip on power in theregion.