The global pandemic has caused tremendous economic devastations for all small and major states all across the globe. The kingdom of Cambodia is somehow minorly affected by the so-called coronavirus or Covid-19. Although this pandemic has caused slight damage toward Cambodia, necessary action and prevention measures need to be taken in to place. This paper will utilize the addictive conceptualizing of dualist approach to examine foreign policy making of Cambodia amid outbreaks of the inflected virus.
Generally speaking, dualist approach considers that domestic and international approaches are vital in foreign policymaking. State cannot act in accordance with what leader wants and desires. In democratic states, a leader is elected by people. Thus, the decision-making process will have to provide cost-benefit to its own citizens. Additionally, international politics is also important when foreign policy in making and implement a foreign policy that is beneficial for the nation as a whole. States has to look at both domestic and international actors to generate such decision in the international arena. For example, Cambodian government during the pandemic period chooses not to take sides between the US and China. As long as the international assistance and aids serve the interests of Cambodians and the economy. Although, Cambodia did not accept Western values such as democracy and human rights. Cambodia still accepts the US fund and aids to deal with the current situation because it not only helps Cambodian people but also improves US-Cambodia relations amid the global pandemic. Moreover, Cambodia agreed to take Chinese medical and equipment aids to curb with the coronavirus. It is believed that Cambodia’s foreign policy seems not to take the side of any major powers during the pandemic of Covid-19. Foreign policy objectives and decision process in this event reflect Cambodia is willing to cooperate internationally and regionally. Recently, PM Hun Sen seeks for financial support across the nation to purchase vaccines for Cambodians for free. In this case, it illustrates that the domestic sector is significant and it boosts the government legitimacy to the current government. At the international politics level, WHO advices how each state should deal with the Covid-19 by doing social distancing and wear face mask in public. So, Cambodia follow the instructions of WHO and introduced these instructions to local people to follow the guidelines of WHO. Primarily. It emphasizes on information sharing and data sharing in international politics to deal with the virus outbreaks. Cambodia learned that in EU and the US the numbers of cases are higher because of ineffective governance. Therefore, PM Hun Sen took precaution measures and prevention measures to prevent the further spread of the virus.
In short, dualist approach discusses how importance of external and internal factors namely domestic politics and international politics. When state begin the to formulate foreign policy, it has to look for advice both domestic politics and international politics. Cambodia's foreign policy objective during the Covid-19 is to adopt its national behavior to international politics where cooperation is important when the international crisis spikes across the globe. Cambodia foreign policy is flexible at both levels
This article is written based on the writer's arguments on small power state (Cambodia) foreign policy approaches during the global pandemic.
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