About Book

Sorpong Peou’s International Democracy Assistance for Peacebuilding: Cambodia and Beyond critically analyzes the role of international democracy assistance in post-conflict peacebuilding, using Cambodia as a case study. The book evaluates the effectiveness of external interventions in state-building and democratization, particularly in fragile post-war societies. Peou examines electoral reforms, state institutions, civil society development, and economic impediments to democratic consolidation. The book highlights the tensions between liberal democratic norms and local political realities, demonstrating how international interventions often face structural constraints and resistance from domestic actors. It explores the shortcomings of democracy promotion strategies, emphasizing that external assistance alone is insufficient without domestic political will and institutional capacity. Through a methodological assessment, Peou underscores the complex interplay between international governance frameworks and local socio-political conditions in Cambodia. He evaluates the institutional underdevelopment of the state and civil society, exposing the economic and political impediments to democratic consolidation. Ultimately, the book offers a critical perspective on the challenges of peacebuilding and democracy assistance in fragile states. Relevance with the Current Era: The book remains highly relevant in today’s global landscape, as international democracy assistance continues to play a pivotal role in post-conflict societies such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Libya. It highlights persistent challenges in externally driven democratization efforts, particularly in regions where authoritarian resilience and political instability undermine democratic transitions. In an era where global power dynamics are shifting, Peou’s analysis serves as a crucial critique of Western-led democracy promotion strategies, offering valuable insights for policymakers and international organizations involved in governance, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution. Final Verdict: Peou’s work provides a thorough and critical examination of the limitations of international democracy assistance, making it an essential read for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in the fields of international relations, peace studies, and political science. The book’s empirical case study on Cambodia serves as a broader reflection on the successes and failures of international interventions in fragile states. While highly informative, the book could benefit from a comparative analysis with other post-conflict regions to strengthen its argument. Nevertheless, it offers a compelling critique of international democracy promotion efforts and remains a valuable contribution to peace and conflict studies. 🔹 Overall Rating: 4.5/5 – A must-read for those interested in democracy promotion, international interventions, and peacebuilding challenges in post-conflict societies.