Linking Citizens and the State

June 24, 2009 — This study investigates current social accountability practices in Cambodia, identifies opportunities, analyzes obstacles and their underlying sources and proposes remedies and priority actions. It has been carried out in the context of broader World Bank efforts to support and enhance citizen demand for good governance in Cambodia, including efforts to:

• promote an enabling environment for social accountability;
   
• help the government to be more responsive and accountable to its citizens;
    
• strengthen the capacity of citizens and civil society to engage with public authorities and develop mechanisms for more constructive civic engagement

The study’s findings and recommendations are intended to inform three key target audiences: the government of Cambodia, civil society actors and development partners (DPs).

The report finds numerous challenges as well as exciting opportunities in the Cambodian context. Compared with other liberal democracies, Cambodian citizens command relatively little influence over processes of public decision-making and have limited opportunity to demand accountability from officials. This is largely due to the newness of democratic principles and institutions in Cambodia and the recent traumatic history of the country which has severely eroded trust and “social capital”. However, the rapid evolution of democratic institutions and current processes of political reform, economic development and social change offer important opportunities for enhancing civic engagement and social accountability in Cambodia.