Cambodia has accumulated hundreds of years of repressions, supervision by foreign countries, territorial partitions, insecurities, and conflicts. The last 5 decades, Cambodia has suffered extensive military or ideological wars, undergoing changing political regimes that were neither stable nor legitimately recognized. These passed from absolute monarchy, to communism attached to Maoism, to socialism after Marx and Lenin, to capitalism, and finally to constitutional monarchy based on parliamentary system, (Vannath 2003:49) which have influenced significantly all state institutions from complete destruction to reconstruction based on ideological, geo-strategic interest or political cupidity. Ironically, the country’s experience has remained internationally rather unnoticed, succeeding eventually in the past years to acquire political attention due to the substantial international financial and technical efforts in post-war reconstruction and peace building. (Heijmans 2004:331). With this support, Cambodia is trying to redefine itself and to open itself to the world as a regional equilibrating partner, a corner of cultural and architectural treasures, but also as a traumatized nation in need of foreign aid. In this process, the country has formulated diverse narratives to represent it on the international and domestic scene and to help people go on with a hope for peace and prosperity.
Given being this evolution, the thesis ascertains the contribution of the new Cambodian founding myths in the country’s peace building after having emerged from destabilizing rules, especially the Khmer Rouge regime. In the wake of democratization, Cambodia has started to set a new beginning, this paper searching to understand if these transitional definitions of the nation play a constructive part in the promotion of sustainable peace and security. The issue is still in the process of becoming, since only the end of the Vietnamese administration in September 1989 has opened the way for Cambodia to make justice and recover from the pernicious times. For this reason the victim narratives still claim justice, turning into full founding myths when they would have lost there appellative function. (Münkler 2008:2) Consequently, Cambodia slightly adopted some measures to improve its situation, among which the formulation of new narratives representing the nation’s position in dealing with its trauma in the face of the new international support and its own reckoning with its past.
Table of Contents
- The theoretical frame of research
- Transitional Justice
- Peace Building
- Case study: Cambodia
- Historical Background
- The Cambodian Founding Myth
- Does the Cambodian Post-Conflict Victim Founding Myth Promote Peace Building?
- Critical Perspective on the Role of Founding Myths in Peace Building Processes
- The Potential of Victim Founding Myths to Contribute to Peace Building
- Limits of Post-Conflict Victim Founding Myths in Promoting Peace Building
- The Issue of Exporting the Founding Myth Analysis Concept in non-European Regions
Objectives and Key Themes
This thesis examines the role of newly emerging Cambodian founding myths in the post-conflict peace-building process following the destabilizing Khmer Rouge regime. It investigates whether these transitional definitions of the Cambodian nation contribute constructively to sustainable peace and security, considering both bottom-up and top-down narratives. The study also explores the limitations of applying existing theoretical frameworks from other regions to the Cambodian context.
- The role of founding myths in post-conflict peace building in Cambodia.
- The interplay between bottom-up and top-down narratives in shaping national identity.
- The limitations of applying existing peace-building theories to non-European contexts.
- The impact of historical trauma on the process of reconciliation and peace building.
- The influence of international aid and intervention on the development of Cambodian narratives.
Chapter Summaries
The theoretical frame of research: This chapter lays the groundwork for the thesis by introducing the key theoretical concepts of transitional justice and peace building. It establishes a framework for understanding how these concepts interact and influence the development of national identities in post-conflict societies. The chapter likely explores various scholarly perspectives on these themes, setting the stage for the subsequent case study of Cambodia.
Case study: Cambodia: This section delves into the historical context of Cambodia, analyzing its complex past marked by foreign intervention, internal conflicts, and the devastating Khmer Rouge regime. It examines the historical roots of the current national identity and sets the stage for the analysis of the evolving Cambodian founding myths. This chapter will likely explore the various political shifts and their implications for the nation's trajectory.
Critical Perspective on the Role of Founding Myths in Peace Building Processes: This chapter offers a critical evaluation of the potential and limitations of victim-centered founding myths in promoting peace. It likely discusses the positive aspects of these myths in fostering reconciliation and national unity while acknowledging potential downsides and complexities that can hinder peacebuilding efforts. The chapter would probably balance optimistic and pessimistic viewpoints.
The Issue of Exporting the Founding Myth Analysis Concept in non-European Regions: This chapter addresses the challenges and considerations involved in applying the concept of founding myths, primarily developed within European and other Western contexts, to non-European settings such as Cambodia. It likely explores the unique cultural, religious, and historical factors that shape the Cambodian case and how these factors necessitate a nuanced approach to the analysis of founding myths in peace building.
Keywords
Founding myths, peace building, post-conflict societies, Cambodia, transitional justice, national identity, victim narratives, reconciliation, international aid, top-down narratives, bottom-up narratives, Khmer Rouge, historical trauma.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Cambodian Founding Myths in Post-Conflict Peacebuilding
What is the main topic of this thesis?
This thesis examines the role of newly emerging Cambodian founding myths in the post-conflict peace-building process after the Khmer Rouge regime. It investigates whether these narratives contribute to sustainable peace and security, considering both bottom-up and top-down perspectives, and explores the limitations of applying existing theoretical frameworks to the Cambodian context.
What are the key themes explored in the thesis?
Key themes include the role of founding myths in post-conflict peacebuilding in Cambodia; the interplay between bottom-up and top-down narratives in shaping national identity; the limitations of applying existing peace-building theories to non-European contexts; the impact of historical trauma on reconciliation and peacebuilding; and the influence of international aid and intervention on the development of Cambodian narratives.
What theoretical framework is used?
The thesis utilizes the theoretical frameworks of transitional justice and peacebuilding to understand how these concepts interact and influence the development of national identities in post-conflict societies. It critically examines the applicability of these frameworks, primarily developed in Western contexts, to the Cambodian situation.
What is the significance of the Cambodian case study?
The Cambodian case study allows for an in-depth analysis of how historical context, specifically the Khmer Rouge regime and its aftermath, shapes the development and impact of founding myths on peacebuilding efforts. It provides a unique non-European context to test and refine existing theoretical models.
What are the potential benefits and limitations of victim-centered founding myths in peacebuilding?
The thesis explores both the potential of victim-centered founding myths to foster reconciliation and national unity, and their limitations. It acknowledges the complexities and potential downsides that can hinder peacebuilding efforts, offering a balanced perspective.
What challenges are involved in applying the "founding myth" concept to non-European regions?
Applying the concept of founding myths, primarily developed in European and Western contexts, to non-European settings like Cambodia presents unique challenges. The thesis addresses the need for a nuanced approach, considering cultural, religious, and historical factors specific to the Cambodian context.
What are the key chapters and their content?
The thesis includes chapters on the theoretical framework (transitional justice and peacebuilding), a case study of Cambodia (historical background and analysis of founding myths), a critical perspective on the role of founding myths in peacebuilding, and a discussion of the challenges of applying this analysis to non-European regions.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include founding myths, peacebuilding, post-conflict societies, Cambodia, transitional justice, national identity, victim narratives, reconciliation, international aid, top-down narratives, bottom-up narratives, Khmer Rouge, and historical trauma.
- Quote paper
- M.A. Ricarda Popa (Author), 2009, Founding Myths and Peace Building Processes In Post-Conflict Cambodia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/141996
