서강대학교

초록/요약

This research traces how Cambodia responded to the US-China competition from 2010-2020 and the factors that shaped Cambodia’s foreign policy during that period. Case analyses suggest that Cambodia’s foreign policy was not monolithic; it was in flux. The change of Cambodia’s foreign policy was caused not just by external but also by internal factors. Internal factors include political dynamics, economy, and security. External factors include changes in the US’s foreign policy from Pivot to Asia to America First and the increasing influence of China on Cambodia. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the research suggests that the internal factors were more significant than the external ones. Domestic issues were the primary cause of change in Cambodia’s foreign policy towards the great powers. Cambodia’s concern about its internal political stability, economic growth, and security brought about changes in its foreign policy. Furthermore, these domestic factors played a key role in affecting other countries’ foreign policies towards Cambodia. Violation of human rights and suppression of democracy in Cambodia led to political pressures and sanctions from abroad.