Economic Policies for Social Justice

Social Justice with its political and economic relevance are at the core of politics in the Arab world today. The uprisings of 2010/11, while not bringing about lasting political change to the region, have nonetheless exposed the ultimate need for political and especially economic reforms. Since the uprisings it has become more and more obvious, that the current economic order of the Arab World is not sustainable, neither socially, economically or ecologically. The need for economic policies for Social Justice is pressing – and growing.

An overstretched public sector has been unable to absorb the growing number of unemployed and public budgets are consumed by largely ineffective subsidies, while corruption and a rent-seeking economy limit innovation and investment in the private sector. In this situation, International Financial Institutions continue to call for structural adjustment programs and economic liberalization. Such policies have been implemented for many decades now, and economic growth in the region was mostly produced by a mixture of neoliberal and crony-capitalist economic policies. However, this growth only benefited a small elite and created sharp social inequalities. The increasing privatization of public goods and services, such as healthcare and education, have further cemented these inequalities. Further inequalities in terms of public services, investment and employment persist between the center and the periphery in all countries of the region.

In the absence of politically accountable governments, social injustice has contributed to protests, political instability and, in the worst cases, to armed conflicts and wars. For many countries of the region, reconstruction will be a decisive issue over the coming years. Choices towards social justice in reconstruction will be crucial to ensure sustainable peace and development.

In the light of these developments, it is safe to say that neoliberal policies have dramatically failed the Arab world. However, in a political environment increasingly dominated by securitization, political and religious extremism, the crucial debate on causes and effects of economic policies and its alternatives is bitterly absent, yet more necessary than ever before.

Our Highlights

FlousStory: منين تجي الفلوس

FlousStory: منين تجي الفلوس

January 2024 - Let's delve into the complexities of the economy through stories from elsewhere, or the past, and sometimes even the future. Let's explore the regional and global dynamics that shape financial, economic,... More

We Are in Marrakech: Dignity instead of Austerity

We Are in Marrakech: Dignity instead of Austerity

Oct 9-15,2023 - Annual Meetings of the world Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Marrakech - Morocco More

 Social Protection and the IMF in Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan

Social Protection and the IMF in Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan

Social protection systems in the MENA region are often underfunded and suffer from lack of adequacy or insufficient coverage. More

Better New Deals for Tunisia

Better New Deals for Tunisia

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit Tunisia particularly hard. Already before the pandemic, the country was plagued by prolonged stagnation of the economy and an ongoing crisis of social justice and employment. More

The Dignity Budget for Tunisia

The Dignity Budget for Tunisia

The right to a decent life includes multiple dimensions. More

Videos

الشباب، التطبيقات والحرفاء: سوسيولوجيا خدمات توصيل الأكلات في تونس
FES Summer School
 لا تقدم على الجبهة الاجتماعية :النضال من أجل العدالة الاجتماعية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا
 أزمة الديون التونسية في سياق جائحة كورونا
 ميزانية الكرامة في تونس
 Why a global minimum tax?
 الضرائب والعدالة الجبائية
 العمل اللائق
 سياسات الاستثمار
 لا تقدم على الجبهة الاجتماعية :النضال من أجل العدالة الاجتماعية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا

Publications

Unemployment working-class neighbourhood youth

Unemployment working-class neighbourhood youth

Survival and resistance strategies in Libya, Tunisia and Morocco
Tunis, 2022

Download publication (6,8 MB PDF-File)


Umbrellas for all

Hussein, Salma

Umbrellas for all

A guide for social protection tools and programmes
LaMarsa, 2022

Download publication (3,9 MB PDF-File)


Uncovered: the role of the IMF in shrinking the social protection

Uncovered: the role of the IMF in shrinking the social protection

Case studies from Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco
LaMarsa, 2022

Download publication (3,9 MB PDF-File)


Events

12.10.2023 | Economic Policies for Social Justice | Events

CSPF session:

 

Friday 13,October 2023

9:00 am – 10:30 am

SC03 Saghro & Online


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10.10.2023 | Economic Policies for Social Justice | Events

This event falls on the first day of the IMF-WBG Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) and gathers the community of CSO representatives working on social…


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09.10.2023 | Economic Policies for Social Justice | Events

Thursday , 12 October - 9 to 10:30 AM Morocco Time


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Press

| Economic Policies for Social Justice | Press

The reforms of Jordan's economy demanded by the IMF have seen the selling off of government assets and spending on social protections for the poor and…


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| Economic Policies for Social Justice | Press

Fiscal reforms implemented 10 years ago were the main cause of the downturn in Jordan’s economy, and similar policies are still being implemented,…


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| Economic Policies for Social Justice | Press

Economic policies should strive for social justice and to engage the younger generation in the development process, experts and policy makers said on…


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Dr. Salam Said

Project Director

+216 71 775 343
salam.said(at)fes.de

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Imène Cherif

Regional Program Manager

Imene.Cherif(at)fes.de

Mariem Jrad

Program Assistant

Mariem.Jrad(at)fes.de