2024-04-11 18:36:23
Engaged in politics in a former life but remaining the producer of ideas that he has always been, Youssef Belal draws up in this interview that he delivers to Maroc Hebdo a clear observation on the current partisan class, in the light of recent cases that hit the national legal headlines.
In view of the recent trials and arrests in the ranks of deputies and other elected officials, many observers fear that young people are becoming more disaffected from politics. Is this a trend that, in your eyes, is being confirmed?
Indeed, it is a trend that is growing. It is due to five major reasons. The main one relates to the Moroccan political system within which parties have relatively limited power. There is also the reaction of citizens who do not really see a correlation between their act of voting and the majority that will emerge from the polls.
And therefore see no point in being interested in politics, since this has no direct impact on the action programs developed and implemented by the State. This largely ties in with the second reason relating to the role of the monarchy. From the moment that major decisions are taken by the King who also launches strategic projects, the action of representative bodies is diminished in the eyes of the population.
Electoral operations are relegated to a secondary role, according to many young people. Third reason and not the least, the quality of political staff. Just following independence, the leaders of political parties had a certain weight and charisma. Especially since they were devoted to serving the causes they defended. This lasted until the 1980s/1990s, before seeing the emergence of a new category of populist politicians without a substantial political culture.
Add to this the creation of political groups called administration parties which have only distanced young people from political engagement. Fourth reason, the credibility of Moroccan politicians is seriously damaged due in particular to cases of corruption of elected officials, rigging of elections and so on. The fifth reason is inherent to the role of social networks. We are moving from classic democracy which has its codes and agendas set in advance towards a logic of participatory democracy where an activist on social networks demands accountability from elected officials at any time and wants decisions at any time from then on. that a problem came to his attention…
It is a general crisis of democracy as it has been practiced for decades in the West. It is no longer really adapted to the digital era and the instantaneous exchange of information. As a result, we must rethink the democratic model so that it can absorb these new facts, otherwise the gap between the citizen who wants to be at the center of everything that happens and the political actor will widen further.
Why do you think young people were more politicized in the 1960s/1970s than today?
This is due, in my opinion, to a change in society throughout the world. To stay in the case of Morocco, there was the period of the struggle for liberation or independence. The national movement was strong. The birth of nationalist parties from the 1940s coincided with the great political debates that shook the world: capitalism versus communism. Morocco has not escaped this.
Even if during the period before independence, political differences were not too visible, the objective being to liberate the country and take control of its destiny. But following independence, a new trend emerged and took over, that of careerist politicians.
That is to say those who join political parties just to have a position or any privilege. Being in politics is not necessarily linked to having diplomas from major schools, but rather to having ideas to defend and a vision for society that we would like to see come true. This situation does not encourage young people to get politically involved and join political parties.
What has caused parties, particularly on the left, to also lose their credibility?
Before, until the 1980s and early 1990s, political parties, particularly those on the left, acted like missionaries. They continued the work of the national movement for a State of social justice, democracy and development. For decades, these parties operated in a framework marked by repression.
Something which necessarily blocked their action and did not promote their real roots in society. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Soviet Union also had its negative effect on left-wing parties across the world, including in Morocco.
And as paradoxical as it may seem, the alternation government led by Abderrahmane Youssoufi, which symbolized the consecration of the left and its triumph, once morest the parties in power, accelerated the decline of the left since it did not hold his promises. The leaders of the left-wing parties have severed ties with society and the popular masses that they were supposed to defend.
They have become gentrified and can no longer produce a mobilizing discourse as in the past. To this must be added the rise of Islamist currents, Al Adl wal ihsane and PJD in particular, who have done everything to counter left-wing discourse.
Do you think that an intellectual has the right to abandon politics out of spite, not to mention disgust and despair?
First, it depends on our conception of the intellectual and politics. For many years, intellectuals, these agitators of ideas, who can debate and have a following in ideas, were in the left-wing parties.
Now, due to all the elements developed above, intellectuals are no longer found in political parties. Some were integrated by the government and became the official producers of its programs.
Others have taken a step back, contenting themselves with publishing articles or studies on certain themes from time to time, without really taking the time to actively participate in the debates that are shaking up society… Unfortunately, we can only make this sad observation. The political parties have emptied themselves of their intellectuals.
Without strong political parties and honest politicians, the country’s democratic future is jeopardized. What can be done to turn things around?
I believe that Moroccan political parties as they are designed and as they operate are no longer adapted to the reality of things. Their method of communication is outdated, just as their way of meeting citizens is no longer up to date. On this level, an enormous amount of work must be done.
Furthermore, we must place the questions of democracy and social justice at the heart of their action. I am talking here regarding left-wing parties which have these two notions in their DNA. Without this profound questioning, these parties cannot play the role of driving force of social dynamics that was theirs in the past. Their marginalization will increase and their social anchoring will become increasingly diminished.
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