Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Africa

Abstract

The February 20th Movement (M20F) in Morocco has been widely understood as the result of a dysfunctional social contract and the enduring economic marginalization of youth and informal sector workers. In response, though the Moroccan state has focused principally on general economic development, it has implemented several programs specifically addressing the informal sector. Employing the global case study method, this thesis focuses on the economic policies toward the informal sector in Morocco and similar policies and their reflection of a new social contract. While some policies are ineffective, motivated by co-optation and appeasement, others have produced more favorable outcomes. Programs can be improved by targeting the most marginalized informal workers, improving cooperation between actors, and broadening support throughout the formalization process. On the macro-level, the informal sector will remain a significant source of employment as long as the job market remains polarized and jobs in the service sector are limited. Finally, unless the state offers improved deliverables to youth and informal sector workers, the social contract will continue to be characterized by marginalization and exclusion.

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