The Politics of Nationalism in Cambodia's Preah Vihear Conflict with Thailand: The State, the City and the Border

Cambodia's nationalism in the Preah Vihear conflict with Thailand is multifaceted, serving as a political resource for diverse stakeholders to achieve varied objectives. This study identifies four key approaches—postcolonial nation-building, political legitimation, urban politics of empowerment, and pragmatism in the periphery—that explain Cambodia's nationalist investments in the dispute. Unlike previous top-down analyses focusing on historical or legal dimensions, this research highlights the complex uses and meanings of nationalism from a Cambodian perspective, revealing its role as an alternative means for securing political goals when other avenues are constrained. The study employs qualitative methods, including interviews, observations, and document analysis, conducted in Phnom Penh and Preah Vihear province between 2012 and 2014.

Ngoun, K. (2017). The Politics of Nationalism in Cambodia's Preah Vihear Conflict with Thailand: The State, the City and the Border. The Australian National University. https://doi.org/10.25911/5D74E27C00ADC