Cambodian scholar suggests harmful effects of aid dependence

Cambodian-American political economist Sophal Ear suggests aid dependency has pernicious effects in the Cambodian development. Photo courtesy by Oslo Freedom Forum 2012.

 

Updated 24 October 2012, 

Listen to the audio at Radio Australia

 

Since the early 1990's, Cambodia has been something of a testing ground for foreign aid and the delivery of programs to help a broken country get back on track.

Cambodian scholar suggests harmful effects of aid dependence (Credit: ABC) 

It's been an uncertain exercise.
The UN spent two billion dollars on peacekeeping and elections in 1993 and then allowed Hun Sen to remain Co-Prime Minister, despite him losing to Norodom Ranariddh.
Billions more have been spent on aid projects in the last two decades to improve the lives of Cambodians and to promote democracy.
But has it been effective?
Sophal Ear has written a book called 'Aid Dependence in Cambodia: How Foreign Assistance Undermines Democracy'.

Sophal Ear was born in Cambodia, fled the Khmer Rouge with his family to France and then to the US, where he gained Masters and PhD degrees in agricultural economics, public affairs and political science. He is an Assistant Professor of National Security Affairs at the US Naval Postgraduate School in California.
In this interview, Sophal Ear does not represent the views of the Navy or US Government but speaks as the author of this provocative book.
Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speakers: Sophal Ear, Author, Aid Dependence in Cambodia: How Foreign Assistance Undermines Democracy.