Poverty in the 21st Century: A Critique of Dominant Paradigms and Alternative Perspectives for Developing Countries - The Case of Morocco
Keywords:
Poverty paradigms, policy critique, multidimensional poverty, Morocco, structural factors, transformative policies, social justice, development alternatives
Abstract
This article critically examines why poverty persists despite three decades of prioritized anti-poverty policies, particularly in developing countries like Morocco. It argues that conceptual and epistemological limitations of dominant poverty paradigms constrain policy effectiveness when addressing cumulative socio-economic challenges. Through a critical analysis of poverty conceptualizations and their evolution, the paper deconstructs implicit assumptions underlying anti-poverty policies, revealing significant blind spots: the myth of automatic inclusive growth, technocratic depoliticization of poverty issues, and underestimation of structural factors. Morocco serves as an illustrative case study, demonstrating how, despite notable progress in reducing monetary poverty, persistent vulnerabilities and inequalities reveal the limitations of conventional approaches. The article proposes reconceptualizing poverty through relational and political perspectives that acknowledge power structures and systemic factors, advocating for transformative rather than compensatory policies. For Morocco specifically, this implies rethinking the social contract, strengthening local solidarity innovations, and balancing institutional reforms with social mobilization to achieve sustainable socio-economic transformation.
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References
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2. Appadurai, A. (2004). The capacity to aspire: Culture and the terms of recognition. In V. Rao & M. Walton (Eds.), Culture and Public Action (pp. 59-84). Stanford University Press.
3. Arab Barometer. (2019). Arab Barometer V: Morocco Country Report. Princeton University.
4. Bennani-Chraïbi, M. (2017). Beyond structure and contingency: Toward an interactionist and sequential approach to the 2011 uprisings. Middle East Critique, 26(4), 373-395.
5. Bergh, S. I. (2012). ‘Inclusive’ neoliberalism, local governance reforms and the redeployment of state power: The case of the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) in Morocco. Mediterranean Politics, 17(3), 410-426.
6. Berriane, Y. (2010). The complexities of inclusive participatory governance: The case of Moroccan associational life in the context of the INDH. Journal of Economic and Social Research, 12(1), 89-111.
7. Bono, I. (2010). L’activisme associatif comme marché du travail : Normalisation sociale et politique par les “Activités génératrices de revenus” à El Hajeb. Politique africaine, 120(4), 25-44.
8. Bono, I. (2012). “L’Initiative nationale pour le développement humain” au Maroc : Démocratie participative ou normalisation sociale ? In M. Catusse, B. Destremau, & É. Verdier (Eds.), L’État face aux débordements du social au Maghreb : Formation, travail et protection sociale (pp. 151-171). Karthala.
9. Catusse, M. (2010). Maroc : Un fragile État social dans la réforme néolibérale. In M. Catusse, B. Destremau, & É. Verdier (Eds.), L’État face aux débordements du social au Maghreb : Formation, travail et protection sociale (pp. 121-148). Karthala.
10. Chambers, R. (1995). Poverty and livelihoods: whose reality counts? Environment and Urbanization, 7(1), 173-204.
11. Chang, H. J. (2003). Kicking Away the Ladder: Development Strategy in Historical Perspective. Anthem Press.
12. Coady, D., Grosh, M., & Hoddinott, J. (2004). Targeting of Transfers in Developing Countries: Review of Lessons and Experience. World Bank Publications.
13. Conseil Économique, Social et Environnemental. (2019). Le nouveau modèle de développement du Maroc : Contribution du Conseil Économique, Social et Environnemental. Rabat : CESE.
14. Coordination Nationale de l’INDH. (2019). Bilan des réalisations de l’INDH 2005-2018. Rabat: Ministère de l’Intérieur.
15. Cornwall, A., & Gaventa, J. (2000). From users and choosers to makers and shapers: Repositioning participation in social policy. IDS Bulletin, 31(4), 50-62.
16. Cour des Comptes. (2018). Évaluation de l’Initiative Nationale pour le Développement Humain : Synthèse. Rabat: Cour des Comptes.
17. Easterly, W. (2005). What did structural adjustment adjust? The association of policies and growth with repeated IMF and World Bank adjustment loans. Journal of Development Economics, 76(1), 1-22.
18. Ennaji, M. (2016). Women, gender, and politics in Morocco. Social Sciences, 5(4), 75.
19. Ferguson, J. (1994). The Anti-Politics Machine: “Development,” Depoliticization, and Bureaucratic Power in Lesotho. University of Minnesota Press.
20. Gereffi, G., Humphrey, J., & Sturgeon, T. (2005). The governance of global value chains. Review of International Political Economy, 12(1), 78-104.
21. Gibson-Graham, J. K., Cameron, J., & Healy, S. (2013). Take Back the Economy: An Ethical Guide for Transforming Our Communities. University of Minnesota Press.
22. Green, M., & Hulme, D. (2005). From correlates and characteristics to causes: thinking about poverty from a chronic poverty perspective. World Development, 33(6), 867-879.
23. Haut-Commissariat au Plan. (2016). Présentation des résultats de l’Enquête Nationale sur la Consommation et les Dépenses des Ménages 2013/2014. Rabat : HCP.
24. Haut-Commissariat au Plan. (2017). Pauvreté et prospérité partagée au Maroc du troisième millénaire, 2001-2014. Rabat : HCP.
25. Haut-Commissariat au Plan. (2018). Cartographie de la pauvreté multidimensionnelle 2014 : Niveau et disparités territoriales. Rabat : HCP.
26. Haut-Commissariat au Plan. (2020). Impact social et économique de la crise du Covid-19 au Maroc. Rabat: HCP.
27. Hickey, S., & du Toit, A. (2007). Adverse incorporation, social exclusion and chronic poverty. Chronic Poverty Research Centre Working Paper No. 81.
28. Hibou, B., & Tozy, M. (2020). Tisser le temps politique au Maroc : Imaginaire de l’État à l’âge néolibéral. Karthala.
29. ILO. (2011). Social Protection Floor for a Fair and Inclusive Globalization. International Labour Office.
30. Kretzmann, J. P., & McKnight, J. L. (1993). Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets. ACTA Publications.
31. Loayza, N. V., & Raddatz, C. (2010). The composition of growth matters for poverty alleviation. Journal of Development Economics, 93(1), 137-151.
32. Mkandawire, T. (2005). Targeting and universalism in poverty reduction. United Nations Research Institute for Social Development Programme Paper No. 23.
33. Mosse, D. (2010). A relational approach to durable poverty, inequality and power. The Journal of Development Studies, 46(7), 1156-1178.
34. Observatoire National du Développement Humain. (2017). Rapport sur le développement humain au Maroc : Inégalités et développement humain. Rabat: ONDH.
35. Ravallion, M. (2004). Pro-poor growth: A primer. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 3242.
36. Ravallion, M. (2009). A comparative perspective on poverty reduction in Brazil, China, and India. The World Bank Research Observer, 26(1), 71-104.
37. Raworth, K. (2017). Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist. Random House.
38. Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press.
39. Stewart, F. (2005). Horizontal inequalities: A neglected dimension of development. In Wider Perspectives on Global Development (pp. 101-135). Palgrave Macmillan.
40. Wood, G. (2003). Staying secure, staying poor: The “Faustian bargain”. World Development, 31(3), 455-471.
Published
2025-07-24
How to Cite
Kharouaa, A., & Aoujil, A. (2025). Poverty in the 21st Century: A Critique of Dominant Paradigms and Alternative Perspectives for Developing Countries - The Case of Morocco. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 43, 558. Retrieved from https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/19801
Section
ESI Preprints
Copyright (c) 2025 Achraf Kharouaa, Ali Aoujil
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
