Review of the research on hydropolitics in Cambodia

Abstract

Research on hydropolitics in Cambodia emerged in the early 2000s. Since then, scholars in the field have diversified their analytical approaches and broadened the scope of the issues being examined. However, no systematic review of this body of research has been published until now. Correspondingly and quite simply, the objective of this paper is to review the research on hydropolitics in Cambodia. Through the lens of human security, I argue that the research has relied on a human-centered analytical approach and has, thus, acquired three central characteristics: (1) the human-centered analytical approach gives the research a stronger connection to the reality on the ground than is the case with research rooted in the conventional security approach, which adheres to the Westphalian practice of statism and a militaristic focus; (2) the research has generated some valuable findings (e.g., dam-affected villagers can be their own security contributors; not all environmental nongovernmental organizations are anti-dam); and(3) the research has generally overlooked the Cambodian People's Party government's alternately pro-dam and anti-dam stances.