This report is the qualitative component of this research project which focuses on local-level corrupt practices. It mirrors the families and household’s concrete experiences with corrupt practices, the effects these practices have on their lives, and their ways and strategies of coping with corruption.

Monthly review of corruption-related stories in the Cambodian media

The Cambodia office of the International Republic Institute (IRI) was approached in 2009 to pilot an impact evaluation at the request of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to: (a) explore the applicability of randomized control trial (RCT)- style evaluations to democracy and governance programs; and (b) determine the feasibility of conducting this type of evaluation internally, with program staff overseeing the implementation of the methodology.

This study highlights some of the key human capital challenges on the way to successful industrial transition of the Cambodian economy. In particular, it emphasizes the close connection between the competitiveness of the labour force, the opportunities afforded the country and its people by an integrated ASEAN, and the country’s efforts and capacity to absorb its excess supply of under educated, unskilled labour that might otherwise be excluded from decent employment and the benefits of economic growth altogether.

Fighting corruption is a central part of our Government’s “Rectangular Strategy” for Growth, Employment, Equity and Efficiency. During the First Cabinet Meeting of the Third Legislature of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Hun Sen stated, “The key thrust of the Royal Government of Cambodia’s strategy to fight corruption is to take concrete actions that attack the roots of corruption”.

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”.