Decentralization in Cambodia
Evaluating Impacts, Challenges, and Governance Dynamics
Abstract
This study looks at the evolution of decentralization in Cambodia, mostly relating to local governance and the delivery of services. In the aftermath of the chaotic period following the Khmer Rouge regime, the Royal Government of Cambodia initiated sweeping reforms to ensure accountability and responsiveness within the local governments. A very important part of the continuous process of reforms has been the 2001 Law on Administrative Management of Commune/Sangkat, which provided a legal framework toward the empowerment of local authorities. This study, therefore, looks at key legislative frameworks, one of which is the Organic Law of 2008, and assesses the trials of political dominance, financial stranglehold from the central government, and uncertainties of the administration.
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References
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Khoun, T. (2018). Fiscal decentralisation and good governance: convergence or divergence? The experience of commune councils in Cambodia. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 40(2), 115–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/23276665.2018.1486507
Kim Dae-Yeop. (2017). Stunted nexus between civil society and political opposition: A study of Law on Associations and NGOs and its legislation process in Cambodia [Doctoral dissertation, Seoul National University].
Loughlin, N. (2020). Reassessing cambodia’s patronage system(S) and the end of competitive authoritarianism: Electoral clientelism in the shadow of coercion. Pacific Affairs, 93(3), 497–518. https://doi.org/10.5509/2020933497
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Prum, V. (2020). Understanding Cambodia’s Weak Decentralization: From a Textual Approach. Journal of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Social Sciences, Vol 5(July-December), 30–35.
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Schröder, P., & Young, S. (2019). The implications of closing civic space for sustainable development in Cambodia. The Institute of Development Studies, April. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/14315
Szatkowski, T. (2017). From Sihanouk to Pol Pot: Diplomacy, human rights, and relations between the FRG and Cambodia. German Yearbook of Contemporary History, 2(1), 25–61.
Wong, S., & Guggenheim, S. (2018). Community-Driven Development: Myths and Realities. Community-Driven Development: Myths and Realities, May. https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-8435
Yeth, V., Um, Y., & Ngov, P. (Eds. ). (2023). Public Financial Management: Cambodian Experiences. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
Youvan, D. C. (2024). Decentralization and localism: A path to empowered governance and community resilience.
Bhatti, Z. K., & McDonald, L. (2020). Deepening decentralization within centrally led states: The direction of local governance reforms in Southeast Asia. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank, 00(October), 1–56. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/35005/Deepening-Decentralization-within-Centrally-Led-States-The-Direction-of-Local-Governance-Reforms-in-Southeast-Asia.txt?sequence=2&isAllowed=y
Eng, N., Mun, V., & Hor, N. (2015). Social accountability in service delivery in Cambodia (Working Paper No. 102). Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI), 102. https://mail.cdri.org.kh/storage/pdf/wp102e_1617792667.pdf
Eng, N. (2016). Decentralization in Cambodia: New Wine in Old Bottles. Public Administration and Development, 36(4), 250–262. https://doi.org/10.1002/pad.1765
Frolov, I. (2025). The making of the Cambodian People’s Party: Patronage, power, and politics after the Khmer Rouge [Doctoral dissertation, University of Victoria]. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-26846-z%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22308-8%0Ahttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-025-13460-y%0Ahttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14088%0Ahttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.10.019%0Ahttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2
Hughes, C. (2015). Understanding the Elections in Cambodia 2013. AGLOS: Journal of Area-Based Global Studies, Bbc, 1–20.
Kanti Bandyopadhyay, K., & Khus, T. C. (2016). Changing civil society in Cambodia: in search of relevance. Development in Practice, 23(5–06), 665–677. https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2013.800835
Khoun, T. (2018). Fiscal decentralisation and good governance: convergence or divergence? The experience of commune councils in Cambodia. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration, 40(2), 115–131. https://doi.org/10.1080/23276665.2018.1486507
Kim Dae-Yeop. (2017). Stunted nexus between civil society and political opposition: A study of Law on Associations and NGOs and its legislation process in Cambodia [Doctoral dissertation, Seoul National University].
Loughlin, N. (2020). Reassessing cambodia’s patronage system(S) and the end of competitive authoritarianism: Electoral clientelism in the shadow of coercion. Pacific Affairs, 93(3), 497–518. https://doi.org/10.5509/2020933497
Ministry of Land Management, Urban Management, and C. (2016). Provincial spatial planning handbook: Spatial planning series no. 2. Royal Government of Cambodia.
Morgenbesser, L. (2019). Cambodia’s transition to hegemonic authoritarianism. Journal of Democracy, 30(1), 158–171.
MPT (Ministry of Post and Telecommunications). (2022). Cambodia digital government policy 2022-2035. Royal Government of Cambodia.
Peou, S. (2019). Cambodia’s hegemonic-party system: How and why the CPP became dominant. Asian Journal of Comparative Politics, 4(1), 42–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057891118788199
Prum, V. (2020). Understanding Cambodia’s Weak Decentralization: From a Textual Approach. Journal of Accounting, Finance, Economics, and Social Sciences, Vol 5(July-December), 30–35.
Right, L. E. (2025). Opposition participation in authoritarian governance: Evidence from Cambodia [Doctoral dissertation, Duke University].
Rohdewohld, R. (2022). Decentralization, local governance, and localizing the SDGs in Cambodia. In Decentralization and Localizing the SDGs in Asia and the Pacific, 225–252.
Royal Government of Cambodia. (2001). Law on Commune/Sangkat Administrative Management (Royal Kram No. NS/RKM/0301/05). PREACH REACH KRAM NS/RKM/ 0301/05. http://sithi.org/admin/upload/law/Law on the Election of Commune Councils (2001).ENG.pdf
Royal Government of Cambodia. (2008a). Law on Administrative Management of Capital, Provinces, Municipalities, Districts and Khans (Royal Decree No. NS/RKM/0508/017).
Royal Government of Cambodia. (2008b). Law on the Election of Capital/Provincial, Municipality/District/Khan Councils (Royal Kram No. NS/RKM/0508/018).
Schröder, P., & Young, S. (2019). The implications of closing civic space for sustainable development in Cambodia. The Institute of Development Studies, April. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/opendocs/handle/20.500.12413/14315
Szatkowski, T. (2017). From Sihanouk to Pol Pot: Diplomacy, human rights, and relations between the FRG and Cambodia. German Yearbook of Contemporary History, 2(1), 25–61.
Wong, S., & Guggenheim, S. (2018). Community-Driven Development: Myths and Realities. Community-Driven Development: Myths and Realities, May. https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-8435
Yeth, V., Um, Y., & Ngov, P. (Eds. ). (2023). Public Financial Management: Cambodian Experiences. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute.
Youvan, D. C. (2024). Decentralization and localism: A path to empowered governance and community resilience.
Published
2026-05-18
How to Cite
SOK, Vanny; NEAU, Sereth; VANNY, Marvin.
Decentralization in Cambodia.
JESS (Journal of Education on Social Science), [S.l.], v. 9, n. 3, p. 308 -318, may 2026.
ISSN 2550-0147.
Available at: <http://jess.ppj.unp.ac.id/index.php/JESS/article/view/665>. Date accessed: 12 june 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.24036/jess.v9i3.665.
Section
Artikel
