On the Road (to Understanding Morocco's Government)

I'm currently making my way through Jack Kerouac's "On the Road."  Recognized as one of the 20th century's classics, the author's narrative begins with a little character development and the start of a grand trip from New York to California.  Hitch-hiking details and the author's optimism sparkle throughout the first 70 pages, but its his journey's beginning that speaks to me today.

At his onset, our novel's protagonist spots Highway 6 as his most direct route from New York to California.  Wanting to navigate it from beginning to end, he spends a day and night traveling out of his way north from New York City to Newburgh only to be redirected in a sopping wet state back to the City and a better starting point.  Fueled by his mistake, he sought a more direct route and was well on his way a day later.  Unfortunately, it appears that our traveler had to take a step backward before he could take two forward.

In that light, today's account is me taking my own step backward in outlining Morocco's government.  I know a little about it but not a lot.  Best I find my own Highway 6 in which to organize what I'm familiar and start to uncover where I'm ignorant.  Not a lot of personal narrative today; most of the following is information directly lifted from the CIA's World Factbook in an attempt to shed a little light on the governmental and political aspects of my host country.

As my own starting point, I hope this step backward speeds me along the road to understanding some of the country's foreign policy objectives and political processes in the future.  And, I hope that it broadens your understanding by providing a little context to some of the sites that I've shared over the past few months!

The Moroccan Flag flying along Agadir's coast and, in this picture, over the mountainous Oufalla in the distance.  Between the hilltop and the beach is written, "God, Country, King."

Since 1912, a red flag with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's seal in its center represents Morocco.  Red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian gulf; the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and signifies the association between God and the nation.

The country's conventional name, "Kingdom of Morocco," isn't regularly used when people mention the country and is often replace by the short form, "Morocco."  However, to do so omits certain aspects of the political structure that shape the country and its place in North Africa and the Middle East.

Morocco's government isn't a presidential or parliamentary republic or any variation thereof; moreover, it's a monarchy but not an absolute monarchy.  It splits the uprights of absolutism (where the King runs everything) and parliamentary constitutionalism (where he doesn't exercise any formal power) and is labeled a "constitutional monarchy."

Prior to independence from France on March 2, 1956, the French protectorate moved the country's capital from Fes to Rabat in 1912 (where it's remained since), and the government currently presides over 15 (or 16 pending your views on Western Sahara) administrative divisions five hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time.

These 15 regions resemble American counties, and I can say that I've visited  a part of each of them.  Large and small, they include: Grand Casablanca, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Doukkala-Abda, Fes-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Guelmim-Es Smara, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, Meknes-Tafilalet, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Souss-Massa-Draa, Tadla-Azilal, Tanger-Tetouan, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate.

The government has recognized a limited number of national holidays with "Throne Day" (the accession of King Mohammed VI to the throne on July 30, 1999) at the top of a list that includes Independence Day (November 18th), Youth Day (August 21st) and numerous Islamic holidays.

Morocco's Constitution was finalized on 10 March 1972 and was subsequently revised on September 4, 1992, and later amended in September, 1996 (when a bicameral legislature was created).

Kids are recognized as adults at the same age as in the United States and are then subject to a legal system "based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems" and presided over by a Judicial branch led by a Supreme Court whose judges are appointed by a monarch-led Council.

The Executive branch consists of the chief of state, King Mohammed VI (since his ascension to the throne in 1999), and the head of government, Prime Minister Abbas El-Fassi (since 19 September 2007).  The King's cabinet is a Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch.  Elections don't touch the monarchy (which is hereditary), and the prime minister is appointed by the monarch following legislative elections.

The Legislative branch is a bicameral Parliament consisting of two Chambers (or houses): The Chamber of Counselors and the Chamber of Representatives.  The Chamber of Counselors (or upper house) consists of 270 seats, and members are elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates to serve nine-year terms.  One-third of the members are elected every three years, and the last election was held on October 3, 2009.

The Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) has 325 seats, and 295 members are elected by multi-seat constituencies, while the remaining 30 come from national lists of women.  Members are elected by popular vote every five years to serve five-year terms.  With 100% turnover, the last election was held on September 7, 2007.

Though most of the above information is fairly straight forward, the King's Cabinet and the Legislative branch deserve some continued investigating (tomorrow).

* Click here for my primary reference, the CIA World Factbook: Morocco.