Governing Cambodia’s Forests: The International Politics of Policy Reform. Written by Andrew Cock, NIAS Press, 2016; 322 Pages. Price: Hardback $80; £50, ISBN 978-87-7694-166-6; Paperback $32; £19.99, ISBN 978-87-7694-167-3

Shu-Kun Lin

doi:10.3390/f8010004

Abstract

The widespread destruction of Cambodia’s forests in recent decades saw the loss of the last major area of pristine tropical forest in Southeast Asia.[...]

Highlights

That deficiency is addressed by this detailed and sophisticated case study of how externally sponsored reform agendas can be manipulated by domestic elites
About the author: Andrew Cock has long worked on environmental issues including as a forestry advisor
Critical acclaim: “Deserves the attention of forest and development experts [ . . . ] and is important because it challenges given preconceptions on tropical forestry”—Mathieu Guérin, Eurasian Journal of Forest Science. “[A] must-read for development professionals, and for those dealing with forest issues”—Frédéric Bourdier, Journal of Contemporary Asia

Summary

Introduction

Critical acclaim: “Deserves the attention of forest and development experts [ . . . ] and is important because it challenges given preconceptions on tropical forestry”—Mathieu Guérin, Eurasian Journal of Forest Science. “[A] must-read for development professionals, and for those dealing with forest issues”—Frédéric Bourdier, Journal of Contemporary Asia. Governing Cambodia’s Forests: The International Politics of Policy Reform. The proceeds of, often indiscriminate, logging and sale of forest and plantation concessions have enriched the country’s ruling elite, but cost its rural population dearly. The tragedy of Cambodia’s forests has received much international publicity from environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) but far less scholarly attention. That deficiency is addressed by this detailed and sophisticated case study of how externally sponsored reform agendas can be manipulated by domestic elites.

Results

Conclusion