Moroccan activists could not raise such a sharp demand. There are three
main reasons for this. First, the Moroccan monarchy has a deep legitimacy, rooted in twelve centuries of history. Second, the current king, as
undemocratic as he may be, has not stifled his people or behaved tyrannically
enough to give [rise] to a general revolutionary sentiment among
his subjects. Finally, Moroccans widely credit the monarchy for holding
the ethnically and culturally diverse population together. Were this
symbol of unity to disappear, they rightly or wrongly believe, the nation
would fall apart and dissolve into bloody sectarian conflicts. Whatever
their convictions and ideology, Morocco’s activists are well aware that
calling for the monarchy’s demise would alienate the great majority of
their followers. . . . Removing the king is not a viable option.