Makhzen

The Makhzen is the governing establishment and power network surrounding the Moroccan monarchy, traditionally associated with the royal court, the central administration, security services, and influential elites. In common political discourse, it refers to the informal structures through which state power is exercised beyond formal constitutional institutions.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from the Arabic makhzan, meaning storehouse or treasury, and by extension the state apparatus that houses and deploys power. In Moroccan history the Makhzen has denoted the royal administration and the cluster of actors—court officials, regional governors, military and security services, and trusted intermediaries—that implement and safeguard the regime’s authority. The concept has persisted into the modern era, where it is often described as the monarchy’s broader network rather than a single formal organ.

Structure and influence: The Makhzen is not a single institution but a loose, overlapping set of actors linked to the throne and the state. It includes the royal household and court, government ministries, security and intelligence services, the military, and influential business and religious elites. It wields influence over policy-making, appointments, and economic opportunities, and it can shape media and public discourse. While Morocco maintains a constitutional framework with a parliament and a prime minister, the King retains broad constitutional powers and a leading role in security and foreign policy, reinforcing the Makhzen’s centrality in governance.

Modern usage: The term is widely used in Morocco and in Maghrebi discourse to describe the enduring power network behind formal political institutions. Critics sometimes view it as a mechanism that preserves the status quo, while supporters emphasize stability and continuity provided by the monarchy-centered system.