International Relations as a Discipline in Cambodia: Still Nascent but Developing

Abstract:This article examines the development of teaching and research in International Relations (IR) in Cambodia. It argues that IR is a relatively nascent academic discipline, but a growing one. The discipline started to develop incrementally in the 2000s, partially resulting from the internationalization of higher education and growing student demand in the country. This preliminary study finds that mainstream Western theories dominate the discipline in Cambodia and realism is the dominant school of thought within it. Cambodian scholars, nevertheless, have a growing interest in exploring and learning Global IR, especially Asian IR. National experiences and circumstances are the key sources for developing indigenous IR theories, potentially contributing to the debates on Global IR. The publications by Cambodian IR scholars at home and abroad are highly valued by the local academic community. However, the lack of institutional support and research funding constrains IR-related research and publishing in Cambodia.