Dissertation Defense: Fatima Hadji - Social Mobilization in Morocco: February 20 movement, Local Tansikiyats, and the Struggle for Real Change?

Dissertation Defense: Fatima Hadji
Social Mobilization in Morocco: February 20 movement, Local Tansikiyats, and the Struggle for Real Change?

Monday, May 11th
10:00am-12:00pm
Conference Room 5183

Dissertation Committee Members:
Dr. Terrence Lyons (Chair)
Dr. Agnieszka Paczynska
​Dr. Bassam Haddad

ABSTRACT:
​The study examines collective action in Morocco as it emerged in the context of the Arab Spring or what is known in the Moroccan context as the February 20 movement. The aim is to provide an account that reflects what is perceived to be the nature of recent collective action by examining the February 20 movement and its local organizing (known as Tansikiyats), and illustrate how Tansikiyats framed grievances to mobilize support. Tansikiyats activism is seen as one of the expressions of grassroots political activism and are an integral part of understanding the ‘unique experience’ of social mobilization in Morocco.​ The central contribution is, thus, not to just study the macro- political discourse, or broader outcomes, and patterns of political change advanced by the February 20 movement, but to examine its Tansikiyats, how they are formed, remain autonomous, and substantively representatives of grassroots activism.