The Maghrebian Association Fabric as an Indicator of Democratic Aspirations and the Authoritarian Syndrome

Abstract

In the Maghreb, civil society associations are one of the main actors of diversity and pluralism. Although in Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria there are very different political regimes, it can be seen that, since 2012, after the protest movements of the Arab Spring, there has been a convergent trend towards restoring government control of the association fabric. The governments of these countries try, in effect, to impede the international activity of these associations that promote democracy, human rights and civil liberties. To do so they use quite similar snares, such as the imposition of bureaucratic obstacles or complaints about international interference in the funding of these associations. This situation is a good indicator of the difficulties encountered by the democratic and pluralist aspirations of Maghrebian societies faced with government authorities.