Growth of the NGO Sector in Cambodia as a Response to the Neoliberal Forces of Globalization

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Date

2015-06

Authors

Hardin, Alexander

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

NGOs are important agents of development throughout the world, and this is especially true in Cambodia. This study explores the growth of the NGO sector in the country by investigating the roles that globalization and the influence of neoliberal ideology played during the crucial period that was Cambodia’s integration into the global marketplace following the end of Vietnamese occupation in 1989. The creation of a space that would allow the NGO community to flourish began with the way the United Nations orchestrated Cambodia’s reintroduction to the international community. This process was bolstered by the policy recommendations of the International Monetary Fund and by other international financial institutions. Into this context entered the Chinese business community, which has been supported by Chinese cultural institutions in Cambodian society. The influence of the Millennium Development Goals, like that of the previously mentioned entities, has also played an important role in helping to sustain the NGO community in Cambodia by encouraging continued NGO activity in the country and by preserving the neoliberal influence first introduced to Cambodia during the UNTAC period.

Description

48 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of International Studies and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2015.

Keywords

International Studies, Cambodia, NGO, Development, Globalization, Neoliberal, IMF, Non-governmental organizations

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