Abstract
Morocco's fragile experiment in democracy has been passing through a very rough patch over the past year. Its leaders have had to steer a tortuous path between the Charybdis of royal absolutism and the Scylla of popular frustration with harsh living conditions and the consequences of the worst drought this century. In June 1981 widespread anger at sudden increases in the price of food staples exploded in violent riots which swept through the economic capital, Casablanca, and which were accompanied by demonstrations in many other cities. This, together with King Hassan's distaste for argumentative politicians, led to extensive arrests amongst the major left-wing political party, the Union socialiste des forces populates (USFP) and the trade union linked to it, the Confederation démocratique de travail (CDT). Long prison sentences followed, and it seemed as if Moroccan democracy was about to slowly suffocate under the weight of bureaucratic repression.