peer review

Research Assignment 3

Harper Sale

GEOG 3692

Historical Context of Health

February 15, 2022

Introduction

Morocco is a North African country that has been through many changes throughout

history. From different dynasties, to colonization and then independence, Morocco has seen

many influences from all over. The colonization of the country as well as neoliberation and SAPs

have shaped the way Morocco is today and the health of the nations for decades.

Colonialism and Independence

Throughout modern day Morocco’s geographical existence, the area had gone through

many different reigns. Beginning with the Phoenicians in their exploration and settlement in

western Morocco, then to a culture led by roman empire influence (Wikimedia, 2022). After the

roman empire came the introduction of Islam by the Arabs in the late 7th and early 8th century

whcih shaped the country in a negative, evil, and pessaminstic way (Wikimedia, 2022). Finally,

in the early 20th century, France and Spain began occupying parts of Morocco under a french

protectorate. It was not until 1956 when Morocco declared independence.

When the French and Spanish colonized parts of Morocco, they promoted much

economic development but that was geared towards the french market. They had french military

occupation in parts of Morocco and wanted control of foreign policy (Wikimedia, 2022). As the

French used Moroccan agriculture for their profit, they ended up shifting from grain to crops

such as fruits and veggies. This forced Moroccan farmers into urban areas in which they could

try to get more money. The French also forced workers to mine for phosphate and refused them

social protections, forbid employees from unionizing, and received a tiny fraction of earnings

that other Europeans made (Wikimedia, 2022). This repression and disparity resulted in poverty

and unhealthy living and working conditions, potentially contributing to the negative health of

Moroccan natives.

However, after many years of Moroccan disapproval of the French reign, there was

progress to gaining independence. Morocco went through the zaian war, rif rebellion, netionalist

parties, and furthered violent efforts to regain independence (Wikimedia, 2022). After the years

of punishing nationalist and murdering Tunisian labor unionist, Muhamad V was returned form

exile and declared indpenedce by negotiating with france to enforce this independence

(Wikimedia, 2022). These years of repression, control, stress, and no free will really had large

impacts on Moroccan citizens. Even after independence, the country has seemed to change in

their economic ideation.

In present day, Morocco's main exports to China are, by far minerals such as ore, slag and

ash but followed by tobacco and metal (XIa & Yang, 2021). However, in 2019, Morocco's main

exports were cars, mixed minerals, phosphates, and phosphoric acid (Morocco, n.d.) Oppositely,

their main imports were petroleum, vehicle parts, and gas (Morocco, n.d.). This shows that

Morocco does not rely economically on export profit or import gain of food material, but does

have a high economic trade with the EU. Morocco seems to be a country that is not heavily

reliant on others for sustainable food sources and could probably live off of its own agriculture.

Finally, not only does Morocco seem to have some sustainable living sources and the

position to feed themselves; but, Morocco has had great coverage of immunizations in the past

few decades. Morocco's coverage surveys show that vaccine rates and estimates are in great

condition for most diseases (WHO, n.d.). This is a positive in the country that allows for greater

health and longer life expectancy.

Neoliberalization and SAPs

When talking about how Morocco has been economically driven, it changed in the

1980’s. Morocco reoriented its economy to fit the ideas of the newly implemented International

Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World bank advocated adjustment plan (Zemni & Bogaert, 2011).

Morocco leaned towards neoliberal side of things and used this idea to advocate for economic

growth. In turn, this neoliberal reform may not have brought forth only economic growth and

prosperity, but potentially uneven development and underprivileged places (Zemni & Bogaert,

2011). Zemni and Bogaert state that this way of living could interfere with disparities and focus

less on the people and more on the economic growth (2011). This could have a really negative

effect on geographical location and that effect on the opportunity, health, wellness, wealth and

resources one may have and/or recieve. This created an increase in violence and poverty, leading

to worse health for certain unequal citizens and class status.

However, certain programs that came after the Alma Ata declaration in 1978 created a

strong sense of community and rural communities of developing countries (Garenne et al., 2007).

In the 1980’s, many programmes were created in order to try and eliminate high rates of child

mortality in Morocco. Programs such as immunization rates had the highest impacts on mortality

rates and illnesses in Morocco. All of these programs aided in immunizations, understanding and

managing malnutrition and stomach diseases, and using effective medicine for harmful diseases

(Garenne et al., 2007). I believe that there was a drastic change in Moroccan health after the

increase in programmes and improvement of living conditions and sanitation.

References

Garenne, M., Darkaoui, N., Braikat, M., & Azelmat, M. (2007). Changing cause of death profile

in Morocco: the impact of child-survival programmes. Journal of health, population, and

nutrition, 25(2), 212–220.

Morocco (MAR) exports, imports, and trade partners. OEC. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2022,

from https://oec.world/en/profile/country/mar

Wikimedia Foundation. (2022, February 3). French protectorate in Morocco. Wikipedia.

Retrieved February 16, 2022, from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_protectorate_in_Morocco

World Health Organization (WHO). (n.d.). Immunization country profile. World Health

Organization. Retrieved February 16, 2022, from

https://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary/countries?countrycriteria

%5Bcountry%5D%5B%5D=MAR&commit=OK

Xia, S., Yang, X. (2021). Comparative study on the main export commodities and their

composition between China and Morocco. International Journal of Social Sciences in

Universities, 4(2), 217-221.

Zemni, S., & Bogaert, K. (2011). Urban renewal and social development in Morocco in an age of

neoliberal government. Review of African Political Economy, 38(129), 403–417.

https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2011.603180