Based on the premise of the importance of national ownership for development,
this book examines the relationship between Cambodia’s aid dependence
and its poor governance. Sophal Ear, assistant professor of National Security Affairs
at the US Naval Postgraduate School, chooses Cambodia as a case study as
it is one of the most aid-drenched countries in Southeast Asia. To achieve the
aforementioned objective, the book is divided into four chapters, using field interviews,
case studies, and document analyses as a source of information.
Chapter 1 concisely highlights the connection between aid dependence and
quality of governance. This chapter claims that the quality of governance depends
upon the governance system followed in the country. It argues that foreign
aid has had negative incentives for good governance, weakened tax collections,
and