Ways of a Dictator

In Cambodia, corruption has the characteristic of being democratic: It spreads from the front-desk clerk to the department head. One ends up paying just to get one’s right to it,” writes researcher Julien Cheverny.

“When trading influence goes together with the power to sell, it’s corruption that makes it possible to set the actual hierarchy in public administration jobs,” he writes. “Naked greed involves little risk and leaves no unfortunate accounting evidence. Favors come from above, gifts from below.”

Prince Norodom Sihanouk greets supporters at a publicity event for a film in the 1960s.

This analysis, apt in describing the ruling CPP’s deep-rooted patronage network, appeared 45 years ago in Mr. Cheverny’s 1971 book, “Eloge du colonialisme, or “In Praise of Colonialism,” as he traced corruption and influence peddling in the country during the 1960s, when Prince Norodom Sihanouk ruled Cambodia.

Starving Spirits

Phnom Sruoch district, Kompong Speu province –

Villagers fear that the spirits residing at the Preah Damboukbon pagoda are enraged.

Their anger has many roots. The temple has been neglected. Wayward monks have become increasingly unruly and undisciplined. Rumors of drug use and prostitution at the pagoda have multiplied. The faithful have fled.

Novice monk Po Peth participates in a Pchum Ben ceremony at Wat Preah Damboukbon in Kompong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district on Tuesday. (Hannah Hawkins/The Cambodia Daily)

“We are still alive and we became angry,” villager Sreng Mom said this week. “How about the spirits of our ancestors? They are also angry.”