De-Westernization: An anamnesis of decline and Moroccan diplomacy of balance

The phenomenon of “de-Westernization” represents a significant geopolitical upheaval marked by the relative decline of Western influence and the emergence of a multipolar world order increasingly shaped by the Global South. This transition results from a convergence of economic, demographic, and geopolitical factors, leading to a profound restructuring of global power dynamics. The rise of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS+), which now surpasses the G7 in terms of economic power based on purchasing power parity, represents a significant share of the world’s population and is actively developing alternative financial systems and promoting intra-bloc trade. At the same time, the erosion of EU leadership is reflected in weak economic growth, projected at around 1% for 2025 to 2026, as well as technological and geopolitical vulnerabilities and persistent trade imbalances, particularly with China. Within this changing global landscape, Morocco stands out for its pragmatic and non-ideological “diplomacy of balance,” which enables it to navigate the evolving international order. This multi-party approach favors mutually beneficial partnerships. While maintaining its historical and close ties with Western countries, Morocco has strategically diversified its partnerships with countries in the Global South and East, including China, India, and Russia.