Decentralization Reform from the Socio-economic Development: Case of the Kingdom of Cambodia

Abstract

For almost two decades, the Kingdom of Cambodia has implemented reforms on decentralization from the central government to the local government level, meanwhile the understanding of this decentralized reform program is still limited. Therefore, this article on the decentralization reform of the Kingdom of Cambodia focuses on three main issues: 1. Causes of Decentralization. 2. Decentralization reform to development socio-economics 3. The direction of Decentralization in the Kingdom of Cambodia. It is proposed as a methodological integration of the literature review and the national development strategic plan and the democratic development concept of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Thus, it represents Cambodia's decentralization model as well as ongoing administrative reforms in the areas of decentralization consistent with the democratic system whereas the country has been dominated by the national motto: Nation, Religion, Monarch who respects Buddhism and acts as head of state. Hence the country is called the Kingdom of Cambodia (Constitution of Cambodia, Chapter 1, Section 4, 1993). The article also proposes a decentralized direction idea for the Kingdom of Cambodia. A model that aims to drive economic development in the country; an upper-middle-income country by 2030 and a developed country in the year 2050.