Cambodia’s quest for international reputation: strategies and implications

Small states, especially developed and democratic states in Europe, have been important players in international security and diplomacy. From joining NATO military operations, gaining a seat in the UN Security Council, to providing economic aid for poorer countries, small democratic states have demonstrated the inclination to acquire status and elevate their influence in international politics. But we know less about the status-seeking of small authoritarian states in the developing world. This paper fills the gap by examining Cambodia’s quest for a positive international reputation and its intended benefits for the Cambodian People’s Party’s rule. We argue that Cambodia wants to be perceived as a good state useful to the international community and this favorable international image can boost the ruling party’s political legitimacy at home. The argument is illustrated with three case studies in the areas of international peacekeeping, global health, and regional sports. Accounting for these dynamics advances our understanding of the role of small authoritarian states in world politics with important implications for democracy promotion in the developing world.