Abstract

Morocco is often regarded as a regional leader in addressing climate change. This may not come as a surprise given recent reports that also show that it is particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change, including extreme water shortages. Therefore, what has the state been doing in response to this crisis, and even more, how have state initiatives impacted the country's most vulnerable populations and the environment? This thesis focuses on the Green Morocco Plan (GMP), an agricultural strategy launched in 2008 that intended to address environmental concerns while also increasing modern agricultural productivity and improving the conditions of small farmers. Specifically, the thesis seeks to address the question: What have been the goals of the plan as well as the socioeconomic impacts on the country's most vulnerable populations? A historical political economy approach is utilized, paying particular attention to agricultural policy from the colonial period, the makhzen system, and EU-Morocco trade relations. The analysis is conducted based on official discourse, existent literature on impacts of the GMP, and news articles that have tracked its implementation. In essence, this thesis argues that the GMP is an example of how Morocco is engaged in a relationship of ecologically unequal exchange with countries of the EU, that has benefitted both EU members and Moroccan elite, at the expense of the environment, and vulnerable populations in Morocco, especially small farmers, and women.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2021

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Jacques, Peter

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs

Degree Program

Political Science

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0008441; DP0024116

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0024116

Language

English

Release Date

May 2021

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

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