Thesis discusses public policies

A doctoral thesis exploring Morocco's public policies, specifically the shift from constitutionalization to performance governance, was defended at Hassan I University in Settat. Researcher Yachbouha Maa El Ainine's work, supervised by Professor Abdeljabar Arrach, delves into the current public discourse on modernizing administration and establishing good governance.

The thesis, deemed highly relevant, analyzes the transformations in public action in Morocco, from the challenges of structural adjustment to the aspirations of the 2011 constitution. It addresses the core issue of transitioning from the "constitutionalization" of public policies, which peaked with the 2011 constitution, to the implementation of "performance governance." The central question posed is whether the Moroccan political system can move beyond the "legal/textual legitimacy" of public policies towards an "achievement legitimacy" based on efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability, despite structural challenges.

To facilitate this transition, the researcher proposed a series of recommendations, presented as a roadmap for performance governance. These include creating an independent national body responsible for evaluating public policies and setting standardized, binding performance indicators for all sectors. Maa El Ainine also emphasized the need for vertical and horizontal coordination mechanisms under the Prime Minister's office to ensure policy coherence, alongside activating the territorial approach through advanced regionalization.

Further recommendations involve shifting from "management by means" to "management by objectives and results," linking public funding to precise performance indicators, and equipping Parliament with specialized technical expertise for its oversight functions. The researcher also advocated for increased civil society participation within the framework of participatory democracy and the adoption of open data platforms to track policy implementation, thereby enhancing transparency and accountability.

The committee, chaired by Dr. Hanane Benkacem, commended the researcher's valuable scientific effort in tackling a complex and current issue. Recognizing the work's rigor, analytical precision, and practical recommendations, the committee awarded Maa El Ainine a doctorate in Public Law and Political Science with "very high honors" and recommended the thesis for publication due to its significant contribution to the Moroccan legal and political library.