Abstract

This thesis examines the survival of non-oil producing monarchies from the “Arab Spring”, by studying the historical context of Morocco and Jordan, the political and economic situations in the monarchies before and after the 2011 revolutionary wave and the transformation in mechanisms of control used by both regimes. The theoretical framework of this thesis rests upon dual causality, legitimacy and authoritarian upgrading. Legitimacy in this context refers to different types, be it traditional, religious or tribal, all which will be discussed in detail throughout the thesis. The concept of upgrading authoritarianism on the other hand is derived from Steven Heydemann’s work on transformation of authoritarian regimes in the Arab world. This thesis applies Heydemann’s five indicators of authoritarian upgrading on Morocco and Jordan through examining various reports including Freedom House, and Bertelsmann Stiftung. Research results are accumulated in the concluding chapter, where it becomes more evident that the latter causation does not completely apply to the non-oil producing Arab monarchies, as per Steven Heydemann’s indicators. However, alternative explanations of how Morocco and Jordan managed to evade the dire consequences of several neighboring “Arab Spring” republics is offered and supported.

Department

Political Science Department

Degree Name

MA in Political Science

Graduation Date

2-1-2014

Submission Date

September 2014

First Advisor

Korany, Bahgat

Committee Member 1

Kazziha, Walid

Committee Member 2

Albrecht, Holger

Extent

100 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Library of Congress Subject Heading 1

Arab Spring, 2010-

Library of Congress Subject Heading 2

Morocco -- Politics and government -- 21st century.

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Not necessary for this item

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