Is the State of Morocco a Social State?

Abstract

The human development situation in Morocco in 2025 has evolved from the relative euphoria that characterized this North African country in the early 2000s.  The National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), launched in 2005 by King Mohammed VI was intended to spread a social safety net under Moroccans left behind by "growth finally on track".  The Fiftieth Anniversary Report took stock of the country's 50 years of independence since 1956 and indicated paths for developing its economy and transforming its society by 2025. The report assessed that the country was at a crossroads and had the means to embark on the path of national ambition shared by all, articulated around human development. This article reviews the social state as a framework for analyzing the subsequent discourse and practice of the social state in the Kingdom of Morocco. It presents two definitions of a social state, and draws on a wide range of economic and social data to examine in depth the socio-economic realities of the country's population. The analysis compares and contrasts those realities with the government's stated intentions and public policies to highlight significant gaps in obtaining social justice for a large proportion of the population. Based on comparative analysis of data referencing the definitional framework, the article demonstrates that, despite strong rhetoric promoting inclusion and human development, government plans and programs on the ground fall short of their proclaimed goals. The conclusions identify factors for the lack of progress towards a more socially just country and society.