Morocco and Spain: Two Histories That Should Not Be So Different

Abstract

This paper examines the reasons for the significant differences in the economic development of Spain and Morocco prior to colonisation. Despite sharing many similarities in terms of factors commonly considered to be determinants of economic progress, such as geography, Roman philosophical and legal tradition, urbanisation and commercial dedication, the two nations experienced significantly different levels of development. Religion is, of course, the main differentiating factor and therefore the main 'suspect' in explaining Morocco's backwardness. However, it is difficult to identify the specific aspects that constituted an economic disadvantage compared to Christianity. In fact, both negative and positive aspects can be identified. Our thesis is that, while Islam was indeed an obstacle, it was an indirect one: the legitimisation of autocracy and, therefore, paradoxically, an inability to create a secure environment for business.