Constraints to strengthening public sector accountability through civil society: the case of Morocco

Abstract

This paper discusses the extent to which civil society contributes to strengthening public sector accountability in Morocco. The main argument in this paper is that despite a few recent encouraging examples, civil society's role in strengthening public sector accountability remains limited at both the national and local levels. This is due to three main reasons. The first relates to certain characteristics of the Moroccan governance system, including the dominance of upward accountability mechanisms, given the unique position of the King. The second set of reasons refers to certain internal features of the Moroccan civil society. The third reason can be found in civil society's position with regard to its external environment, i.e., the nature of its relationships with the public sector in the form of both local governments and ministerial public administrations.