The Mobile Phone Revolution in Morocco: Cultural and Economic Transformations

Hsain Ilahiane's book explores how Moroccans use the mobile phone to redefine core notions of gender, space, honor, shame, placemaking, and surveillance and control, based on ethnographic fieldwork with various groups.

Format: Hardback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

In his groundbreaking work "The Mobile Phone Revolution in Morocco," Hsain Ilahiane delves into the profound ways in which Moroccans are harnessing the power of mobile phones to redefine fundamental concepts such as gender, space, honor, shame, placemaking, and surveillance and control. Through extensive ethnographic fieldwork with a diverse range of individuals, including urban street vendors, urban micro-entrepreneurs, urban female domestic workers, and smallholder farmers, Ilahiane showcases the remarkable capacity of the mobile phone to inform, rearrange, and transform virtually every aspect of Moroccan society.

The mobile phone has become an integral part of daily life in Morocco, revolutionizing communication and social interactions. Ilahiane observes that Moroccans use the mobile phone to transcend traditional boundaries and redefine social roles, particularly among women. Women are now empowered to engage in economic activities, participate in public spaces, and maintain social connections, challenging traditional gender norms.

Moreover, the mobile phone has played a significant role in reshaping spatial relationships in Moroccan cities. Street vendors, for example, use mobile phones to expand their customer base and reach new markets, enabling them to overcome geographical barriers and increase their income. This has led to the growth of informal economies and the emergence of new business opportunities in urban areas.

The mobile phone has also had a profound impact on honor and shame in Moroccan society. Ilahiane notes that the mobile phone has become a tool for expressing and sharing personal experiences, allowing individuals to share their achievements and challenges with a wider audience. This has led to a greater sense of transparency and accountability, as well as a shift in societal norms towards greater acceptance and recognition of diversity.

However, the mobile phone has also raised concerns about surveillance and control in Moroccan society. Ilahiane explores how the government and private institutions use mobile phones to monitor and control citizens, particularly in the context of political activism and social movements. The use of surveillance technology has led to a fear of repression and a sense of insecurity among individuals who express their opinions or engage in activism.

In conclusion, "The Mobile Phone Revolution in Morocco" provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the ways in which Moroccans are using the mobile phone to redefine core notions of gender, space, honor, shame, placemaking, and surveillance and control. Ilahiane's ethnographic fieldwork offers a rich and detailed perspective on the impact of the mobile phone on Moroccan society, highlighting its transformative power and the challenges it presents.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793616586