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Analysing elite discourse on terrorism and its implications: the case of Morocco

This paper approaches terrorism as a discursive construction. The discussion concentrates on the Moroccan government's representations of terrorism. The social and political construction of ‘radicalism’ and ‘extremism’ as the major causes of ‘(Islamist) terrorism’ in Morocco is shaped by the global understanding of these phenomena and is intimately entwined with understandings and policies within the country itself. This paper aims at shedding light on the possible implications of such labelling beyond the formulation, acceptance, and implementation of a counter-terrorism strategy. Special attention is devoted to the government's appropriation of the discourse on terrorism to further domestic agendas and to target specific groups. Critical Terrorism Studies is welcomed, especially for the emphasis it puts on the artificiality of ‘terrorism’ and for its aim ‘to destabilise dominant interpretations and demonstrate the inherently contested and political nature of the discourse – to reveal the politics behind seemingly neutral knowledge’, a central concern also of Critical Discourse Analysis.