ED Sociétés, Politique, Santé Publique
Between dirigism and neoliberalism: The 'proximity sports' development program (2010-2023) in the evolution of public sports policies in Morocco
by Marwane SIMOU (Laboratoire Cultures, Education, Sociétés)
The defense will take place at 13h00 - Salle A Faculté des STAPS, 12 Avenue Camille Jullian, 33607 PESSAC Cedex
in front of the jury composed of
- Jean-François LOUDCHER - Professeur des universités - Université de Bordeaux - Directeur de these
- André SUCHET - Maître de conférences - Université de Bordeaux - CoDirecteur de these
- Mariette SIBERTIN-BLANC - Professeure des universités - Université Toulouse-Jean Jaurès - Examinateur
- Gilles VIEILLE MARCHISET - Professeur des universités - Université de Strasbourg - Examinateur
- Eric PERERA - Professeur des universités - Université de Montpellier - Rapporteur
- Faycel KADA - Maître de conférences - Université Ibn Toufayl / Kénitra - Rapporteur
This thesis analyzes the evolution of public sports policies in Morocco in the 21st century through the study of the development program of a so-called proximity sport and its socio-sports centers implemented in Morocco from 2010. This program illustrates a profound change in the orientation of the country's policy. It aims to democratize access to sport through the development of local infrastructures and the involvement of local authorities, and the following year physical and sports activities are included as a "fundamental right" in the Constitution. The analysis mobilizes several conceptual frameworks. Gérard Noiriel's sociohistorical approach makes it possible to place local sport in a long-term institutional trajectory, highlighting the continuities and ruptures of Moroccan sports policies since independence. Rhodes' analysis of public action networks sheds light on the relationships between the State, communities, associations and citizens, revealing the logics of cooperation, competition and power negotiations structuring sports governance. Michel Crozier and Erhard Friedberg's strategic analysis of organizations provides an insight into the strategies deployed by actors to influence the management of sports infrastructure, drawing on the notions of power, resources and areas of uncertainty. Finally, Ian P. Henry's work on sports governance allows us to analyze how the management of local sports facilities oscillates between a centralized model and decentralization influenced by institutional transformations and neoliberal logics. The analysis of this sports policy at the national level, from its launch in 2010 under the aegis of Minister Moncef Belkhayat until 2023, is completed by a case study in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region: it uses a methodology combining documentary analysis, study of discourses on social networks, semi-directed interviews, focus groups with users and participant observations over several years. This work highlights the tensions and opportunities linked to the development of local sports in Morocco, in a context of transformation of public policies and reconfiguration of power relations between the State and local actors. It highlights the institutional, political and social challenges linked to the implementation of local sports infrastructures and questions the balance between state control and delegation to territorial actors. Ultimately, the results of this research reveal a hybrid model of governance, called neoliberalized dirigisme. The Moroccan model corresponds neither to pure neoliberalism (where the State disengages in favor of the market and competition) nor to absolute dirigisme (where the State controls everything). It is a strategic compromise where the State remains the dominant actor, while integrating neoliberal elements in a selective and controlled manner.