ABSTRACT
In Cambodia, popular conceptions of civil society generally correspond to definitions and programmes that have been developed and implemented in the context of international aid and reconstruction. The civil society lens employed by many observers of Cambodia, therefore, tends to focus on formal organizations, human rights groups and other typical forms of civil society, such as unions. While the backgrounds of the authors, their country of study, and their respective areas of expertise condition them to select certain ‘micro themes’, and investigate them in certain ways, their work often goes towards examining broader ‘macro themes’. For academics, governments, development agencies, and local people, civil society wraps a layer of meaning and significance around certain activities, elevating their relevance and legitimacy. The chapter also presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book.
