Deep States and Crony Capitalism in the Maghreb

The Maghreb economies have been shaped – and often stunted – by a concentration of wealth and power in relatively few hands. Based on four decades of reporting and research in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, and backed by previously confidential investigations into business and governance issues, this book shows how power and money have interacted over the past six decades to shape the domestic politics and economics of these former French colonies.Jon Marks reveals how abuses of governance and management shortfalls have often been exacerbated when individuals and small groups (variously called ‘clans’, factions and ‘mafias’) have come to wield power. The book covers how the political economy has been shaped by the military/security establishment called ‘le pouvoir’ (the powers-that-be) in Algeria, ‘The Palace’ or ‘le makhzen’ in Morocco and the kleptocratic family politics that brought down Zine el Abidine Ben Ali (Zeba) in Tunisia, launching the 2011 Arab Spring. Also placing Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia within their wider regional context, Marks shows how their distinctive political cultures, economic structures and demographic profiles might progress – or not – as elites and communities seek to adapt to shifting international relationships.