Cambodian Institutions in Change: A Study in Hegemonic Influence
Author
Sørensen, Jesper Rytter
Term
4. term
Publication year
2010
Submitted on
2010-09-01
Pages
61
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan udviklingsbistand fra internationale organisationer har påvirket Cambodja over tid. Det anvender Robert Cox' hegemoniske teori, en mindre udbredt tilgang i udviklingsstudier, som analyserer, hvordan en dominerende magt former globale institutioner, idéer og praksisser. Specialet antager en USA-ledet hegemonisk orden baseret på neoliberal ideologi (markedsorienterede politikker og frihandel) og argumenterer for, at bistandsorganisationer opererer inden for dette verdenssyn. Cambodja har oplevet flere kriser siden uafhængigheden fra det franske styre, og specialet beskriver landet som blevet et FN-protektorat efter uafhængigheden. I dag er Kongeriget Cambodja i høj grad afhængigt af bistand fra mere udviklede nationer, hvilket medfører store tilførsler af hjælp. Analysen fokuserer på tre organisationer, der er aktive i Cambodja: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Trade Organization (WTO) og Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Hver repræsenterer forskellige aspekter af den neoliberale hegemoniske orden. Med Cox' metode organiseres data i tre dimensioner: idéer, materielle kapaciteter og institutionel indflydelse. Det gør det muligt at se udviklingsbistand ikke kun som fattigdomsbekæmpelse, men også som spredning af idéer. Ved at anvende en mindre brugt teori på udvikling søger specialet at give ny indsigt i, hvordan internationale institutioner påvirker de lande, de arbejder i.
This thesis examines how development aid from international organizations has influenced Cambodia over time. It applies Robert Cox's hegemonic theory, a less commonly used approach in development studies, which analyzes how a dominant power shapes global institutions, ideas, and practices. The thesis assumes a US-led hegemonic order grounded in neoliberal ideology (market-oriented policies and free trade), and argues that aid organizations operate within this worldview. Cambodia has experienced multiple crises since independence from French rule, and the thesis describes the country as becoming a UN protectorate after independence. Today, the Kingdom of Cambodia depends heavily on aid from more developed nations, resulting in large inflows of assistance. The analysis focuses on three organizations active in Cambodia: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Each represents different aspects of the neoliberal hegemonic system. Using Cox's method, the data are organized into three dimensions: ideas, material capabilities, and institutional influence. This helps view development aid not only as poverty alleviation but also as the spread of ideas. By applying a lesser-used theory to development, the thesis aims to offer new insight into how international institutions affect the countries where they work.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
Documents