Foreign Aid-Corruption Nexus in Cambodia: Its Consequences on the Propensity of Civil War

Tesis de Máster , 2009 , 71 Páginas , Calificación: A

Política - Tema: Paz y Conflictos, Seguridad

Contemporary Cambodia is most likely best known for two things, aid dependency and corruption. The thesis initially seeks to examine the nexus between foreign aid and corruption in Cambodia since 1993, the time when a huge influx of foreign aid injected into the country following the withdrawal of UNTAC, then explores if the correlation of the two encourages the propensity of civil war, and ultimately analyzes if the onset of civil war is attainable in the case that the propensity of civil war is feasible. Drawing from the analysis, the thesis concludes that “Foreign aid, particularly loans, indirectly instigates civil war by partly generating corruption, particularly political corruption, because corruption makes aid ineffective in contributing to economic growth and poverty reduction, while encourages huge economic inequality and chronic poverty, which makes Cambodia more vulnerable and prone to civil war”. However, the civil war in Cambodia is manifested or not depends on the motivation and initiative to be resisted and the means of financing the resistant group. Given the status quo of Cambodia, it is possible that the prominent opposition groups such as the opposition political parties can initiate the resistant
movement; but it seems improbable. Concerning the ways of financing the rebel movement, by applying the Collier and Hoeffler Model of Civil War, although the opportunity of recruiting the members of the rebel group, the given natural geography, and the cohesion of the movement seems merely attainable, the way of financing the rebellion, through three fundamental means—extortion from the primary commodities-natural resources, donation from diaspora, and subvention from hostile governments—is unlikely feasible. If motivation and finance were not achievable, the rebel movement could not even be formed. However, sometimes unpredictable things might happen.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER I: Introduction
• 1. Background, Rationale, and Objectives
• 2. Structure of the Thesis
• CHAPTER II: Research Methodology, Literature Review, and Conceptual Discussion
• 1. Research Methodology
• 1.1 Data Collection Method
• 1.2 Data Analysis Method
• 2. Literature Review
• 3. Conceptual Discussion
• 3.1 Foreign Aid
• 3.2 Corruption
• CHAPTER III: Foreign Aid and Corruption in Cambodia
• 1. The Overview of Historical Context and Foreign Aid Trends in Cambodia
• 2. The Political Economy of Foreign Aid and Corruption in Cambodia
• CHAPTER IV: Foreign Aid, Corruption, and the Propensity of Civil War in Cambodia
• 1. Foreign Aid and Corruption in Cambodia: Creating Conditions for Civil War?
• 2. Greed versus Grievance Theory of Civil War: How Does the Case of Cambodia Fit?
• 2.1. Extortion of Primary Commodity-Natural Resources
• 2.2. Donation from Diaspora
• 2.3. Subvention from Hostile Governments

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to analyze the complex relationship between foreign aid and corruption in Cambodia, particularly in the context of its potential impact on the propensity of civil war. It examines the dynamics of foreign aid and corruption since 1993, following the withdrawal of UNTAC and the influx of foreign aid.

• The nexus between foreign aid and corruption in Cambodia.
• The impact of corruption on the effectiveness of foreign aid in promoting economic growth and poverty reduction.
• The relationship between foreign aid, corruption, and the propensity of civil war.
• The role of various factors, such as political corruption, economic inequality, and poverty, in shaping the vulnerability of Cambodia to civil war.
• The feasibility of financing a rebel movement in Cambodia.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter I introduces the thesis, outlining its background, rationale, and objectives. It also provides an overview of the structure of the thesis. Chapter II delves into the research methodology employed, including data collection and analysis methods. It further explores relevant literature and provides a conceptual discussion of foreign aid and corruption. Chapter III examines the historical context and trends of foreign aid in Cambodia, along with the political economy of foreign aid and corruption. Chapter IV analyzes the relationship between foreign aid, corruption, and the propensity of civil war in Cambodia, exploring the Greed versus Grievance theory of civil war and the potential sources of financing for a rebel movement.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis focuses on the interconnectedness of foreign aid, corruption, and civil war in Cambodia. Key themes include the impact of foreign aid on corruption, the role of corruption in hindering economic development and exacerbating poverty, and the potential for these factors to increase the risk of civil war. The study also examines the feasibility of financing a rebel movement through various means, including extortion of natural resources, donations from diaspora communities, and subventions from hostile governments.

• Universidad: University for Peace (Department of Peace and Conflict Studies)
• Curso: International Peace Studies
• Calificación: A
• Autor: Sopheada Phy (Autor)
• Año de publicación: 2009
• Páginas: 71
• No. de catálogo: V143264
• ISBN (Ebook): 9783640533428
• ISBN (Libro): 9783640533466
• Idioma: Inglés
• Etiqueta: Foreign, Aid-Corruption, Nexus, Cambodia, Consequences, Propensity, Civil