Walter Sartin
Berkeley College Online
Global Social Change
Professor Lyzbeth Makely
Cambodia: A Country in Poverty This paper will review the government of the Cambodia, and how it impact international affairs. Information will be provided pertaining to this nation’s population, health care, and educational system. Consideration will be given to the dominance of its government in international politics and review advantages and disadvantages that may be shared due to this ascendancy. Cambodia’s government will be assessed on how it is viewed by other nations regarding their method of governing. Then an assessment will be made to determine the government’s ability to ensure the greater good of their nation while maintaining stable international relationships.
Analyzing the Government of Cambodia The Cambodian government has a history of turmoil and transition due to a period of conflict and civil war. Towards the end of the twelfth century Cambodia experienced a great deal of internal rebellion, decay, and infighting. In 1431 the Kingdom of Siam assumed control and by the seventeenth century Vietnam also had a hand in controlling the nation. The French took over completely in 1863, followed by the Japanese during World War II, and then the French again in 1945 (Emmons, Eveland, Lin-Liu, and White, 2011). In 1953 Cambodia claimed independence. War continued to be waged in Vietnam between the communist north and American backed south. North Vietnam used Cambodia to set up outposts to strategize attacks. From March 1969 onward, Cambodia was bombed heavily and indiscriminately by American forces, in an effort to dislodge them (Emmons, Eveland, Lin-Liu, and White, 2011). In 1970 Lon Nol was installed as leader of Cambodia. Then in 1975 the Khmer Rouge led by the Pol Pot regime, took control and led the nation as a great tyrant. Khmer Rouge ruled and the wars that came both before and after decimated Cambodia