Historical Encyclopedia
Morocco has a long and complex history that reflects numerous changes in its state system. From ancient times, when the territory was under the control of various tribes and kingdoms, to the modern constitutional monarchy, Morocco has undergone many political transformations. The evolution of the Moroccan state system encompasses different historical stages, including the establishment of the first Islamic states, long years of colonial rule, and finally, the path to independence and democracy in the 20th century.
Before the spread of Islam in present-day Morocco, various states and tribal alliances existed. One of the earliest was the kingdom of Mauretania, which existed from the 4th century BC and occupied a territory that included parts of present-day Morocco and Algeria. Later, in the 7th-8th centuries, with the Arab conquest of Morocco, a new era began in the country’s history. The Arabs brought Islam with them, which became the foundation for the further development of the state.
After the Arab conquest, several major Islamic dynasties formed in Morocco, such as the Umayyads, Abbasids, and others. These dynasties started to establish centralized power and expand their territories, while the territory of the country was under the authority of various local rulers and governments. These early forms of the state structure in Morocco were characterized by the strong power of sultans, but there were also local authorities that played an important role in governing the regions.
From the 11th century, a new era in Moroccan history began, when power transitioned to dynasties. One of the most important dynasties of that time was the Almohads. This dynasty played a key role in the spread of Islam in the Maghreb and in strengthening the power of the sultan. The Almohads occupied a significant place in the political history of Morocco, creating a centralized state where the sultan had immense power, controlling the entire territory of the country and its administrative structure. They also became important cultural and religious reformers.
From the 13th century until the end of the 15th century, Morocco was ruled by the Almoravid, Almohad, and Saadi dynasties, and all these dynasties continued to strengthen the central power of the sultan. These dynasties faced many external and internal threats; however, despite this, they continued to enhance state institutions and develop the country in terms of economy and culture.
In the early 20th century, Morocco faced the threat of European colonization. France, Spain, and other European powers began to intervene in Moroccan affairs, leading to the signing of the treaty of the French protectorate in 1912. Under the French protectorate, Morocco lost part of its independence but maintained a formal sultanate system where power remained in the hands of the sultan, although management was effectively carried out by the French authorities.
During this period, the French authorities began to create a system that would allow for effective management of the colony. The sultan retained his authority in religious matters but was unable to make decisions regarding politics, economics, or foreign affairs. The French protectorate in Morocco created a centralized bureaucratic structure, characteristic of colonial systems of that time. The governing bodies were largely controlled by the French, but local traditions and power structures were preserved, especially in rural areas.
After World War II, in the 1940s-50s, active struggles for independence began in Morocco. The war for liberation from the French colonial regime led to profound changes in the state system. In 1956, after negotiations with the French authorities, Morocco gained independence. The new sultan, Mohammed V, became a symbol of the struggle for independence and began the reorganization of the state.
After gaining independence, Morocco faced the necessity of creating a new political system that would combine elements of the traditional sultanate with new demands of an independent state. During this period, steps were taken to strengthen the centralized power of the sultan, and efforts began to establish the institution of parliamentarism. Despite this, the monarchy retained its powers, and the system of governance remained quite authoritarian.
In 1961, after the death of Mohammed V, his son Hassan II came to power, continuing reforms and strengthening the power of the monarch. Hassan II created a modern political system that retained the important role of the monarchy. He significantly expanded the authority of the king, who had much more power in governing the state. Hassan II introduced a constitution that formalized the power of the sultan, although the parliament and other state bodies also played important roles in political life.
In 1999, after Hassan II's death, his son Mohammed VI became the king of Morocco. His reign began with reforms aimed at democratizing the system and improving human rights in the country. Mohammed VI proposed new steps towards political liberalization and emphasized economic development. One of the main steps was the adoption of a new constitution in 2011 that limited some of the monarch's powers and increased the role of parliament and the prime minister in decision-making. However, despite these reforms, Morocco continues to be a constitutional monarchy with a strong position of the king, who retains significant influence over the country's internal and foreign policy.
The evolution of the Moroccan state system is an example of how the country has undergone numerous transformations, from tribal alliances and early dynasties to the creation of a modern constitutional monarchy. An important element of this evolution has been the ability of Moroccan rulers to adapt traditional forms of governance to modern challenges. The process of political reforms, which continues to this day, helps Morocco move towards sustainable development and political stabilization in the modern world.