Activism and 'Liberal' Authoritarianism

There has been much discussion on the role of civil society in promoting democracy in the Arabic speaking region, especially with the growing maturity of social groups in defending human rights and women’s rights, holding the government accountable, calling for economic transparency and raising environmental concerns. Recent innovative research on civil society activism in the region rejects the normative Western understanding of civil society as a parameter of democratic change; it also attempts to locate civil society activism under authoritarian constraints. ‘Liberal’ authoritarian states such as Morocco create state-sponsored forms of civil activism which make it difficult to distinguish genuine activism from other forms used to promote a liberal image of the state. In this case, the regime actively co-opts leaders of professional associations and organisations so that the state’s authority is not challenged.