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 authoritarian
regimes. Much traditional scholarship writes many of these regimes off as anti democratic, and hence
negate the possibility to work meaningfully and effectively with these regimes toward important global
goals. By engaging in a post-democratic approach this paper looks beyond what Morocco is lacking in
the way of democratic principles and norms and instead focuses on the beneficial action it is taking to
fight climate change domestically, and ultimately work with the international community to contribute
to global climate goals. This paper explores the many initiatives the Moroccan regime is undertaking at
its own behest, while exploring the key actors in these activities as well as the main impetus for doing
so. Ultimately it builds data toward conclusions that although the Moroccan regime is doing this is large
part to further solidify and legitimize its own power, it is simultaneously taking important actions that
are beneficial to its own people as well as the rest of the world. In this sense the authoritarian Moroccan
regime is combating climate change, as a means to maintain and bolster its own grip on power in the
region.