Democratic Kampuchea: An Irresponsible Government

IntroductionMen are innately self-centred. Due tospokesman of Democratic Kampuchea publicly
this characteristic, countless problems areproclaimed, “more than two thousands
flourished, and if there is no any official institutionyear of Cambodian history has end. A little hostile
to govern men’s negative nature, theglance into the politics of Democratic Kampuchea,
whole state would steps toward anarchy.one (especially one living outside Cambodia) may
Single-mindedly targets to offer possible benefitsthink that Democratic Kampuchea did provide
to its people, nearly all government in the world isstability to the people, because for nearly the
divided between the three; executive, legislative,whole of its reign, there were no serious internal
and judicial. Professor George Mckenna, in one ofand external upheavals. This stability was caused
his excerpts called “Whyby removing all the human rights and even the
Government,” claims that government hasnatural rights of the Cambodian people only. Such
four basic compulsions to be executed (McKenna,a compressed stability is not called
1998, 7).Democratic Kampuchea, on other hand,“genuine stability”, because the
drew a completely outlook from what Professorgovernment’s deployment of force to
George Mckenna has claimed above. All of theattain. For Plato, to attain the stability of the
people who have survived the Pol Pot regimewhole state, each individual must have stability in
would refer to this government, as not to servicethe soul as well (Forsyth & Soper, 1988, p. 24).
the people, but to enslave its own people, andImagine, how could you sleep if you didn’t
some would even depict the leaders as "worsehave enough food? How would you feel if you
than Hitler" and a "genocidal maniac" (Chandler,were convicted guilty without having a chance to
1999, p.4). And many have explained the ghost ofprotest back?III. Providing for The Common
three; Pol Pot, Ieng Sary and Kieve Samphan, asDefense?Government is an aggregate of similar
insane philosophers. A confidential CPK documentideology, so that such an organization is formed
asserted that the “expulsion of theto service the people. James Madison claimed that
population from Phnom Penh is a measure one willbecause man is different from angel; endless
not encounter in any other country’sambition, man is deem to be curiously
revolution.” in a similar vein, Ieng Sary toldargumentative. We can draw an equation from
a German correspondent in1976, “it is stillthis that, government is supposed to have the
too early to announce what we are doing in oursame mentality; one government could invade
country. Since our action is not based on models,another government for beneficial or malicious
we are learning in the course of the experimentpurpose.As April Seventeen arrived, government
(Chandler, 1991, p.204).” Probably the onlysoldiers were told that the war had finished and all
government whose philosophy has totally moldedKhmer was to become brothers who should
Cambodian moral/legal/economic system into aintegrate to get Kampuchea Krom back from
complete earthly utopia, Democratic KampucheaVietnam. And one Special Centre Assembly for
draws a lot of curiosity from the world’sCabinet Ministers and all zone/region secretary
states and inhabitants.Democratic Kampuchea iswas held. In that special meeting, among the eight
the government that ruled Cambodia frompoints stated by Pol Pot, seventh point; expel the
1975-1979. This regime is governed by Pol Pot,entire Vietnamese minority population, and eighth
Ieng Sary and Kieve Samphan and otherpoint; sending soldiers to the border especially to
subordinates. This regime is notorious for itsthe Khmer-Vietnamese border (Ben Kiernan,
“auto-genocide” which means1985, p.361-362). Ta Mok added that all place that
slaughtering its own people (having the samehas palm trees, is belonged to Khmer. Democratic
nationality as the leaders). Democratic KampucheaKampuchea constitution, Chapter I, Article 1 which
is considered as one of the weirdest regimes instated that “The State of Kampuchea is
the world, due to its destruction of its own nationan independent, unified, peaceful, neutral,
and people. For years, the world has dramaticallynon-aligned, sovereign, and democratic State
turned their attentions to this 1975-1979 regime.enjoying territorial integrity (Jennar, 1995,
For better understand about Democraticp.83)” also devote to defense Khmer
Kampuchea government, I suggested:David P.territory and Khmer people against foreign
Chandler (1999). Brother Number One.Ben Kiernaninvasion in any form. However, do these all mean
(1985). How Pol Pot Came To Power.David P.Democratic Kampuchea did response to the third
Chandler (1991). The Tragedy of Cambodianobligation, thus worth called “a responsible
history.Or visit Documentation Centre ofgovernment”?If not under any form of
Cambodia.Many questions are still remainedforeign pressure, many has come up with a
unanswered; why the government killed too manyrhetoric why people were forced to bury their
people? Who was/were responsible for theheads into giant collective farms, in order to attain
demises of over one million Cambodian citizens?the yielding policy of the revolutionary
How would those history traitors be punished? Toorganization? And how was the annual farming
answer many of the questions above, a glimpseyield vanished?Democratic Kampuchea was
into Democratic Kampuchea’s governancedeemed to have a lot of similarities to the Cultural
would dramatically benefit. Did DemocraticRevolution of Mao Zedong in between 1966-1976.
Kampuchea do anything among the four to fulfillThose similarities were seen in that Mao Zedong
what we call the obligations of the government?I.forced all the Chinese schools to be closed, and
Establishing Justice?The termafter months, he encouraged the Red Guards to
“justice” is extremely convolutedabolish all the traditional values and bourgeois
to express in words. Socrates, Plato,things, in order to test the party’s
Aristotle…etc, all have different opinions forfollowers by criticizing them. The commanders
this term “justice”. Not onlyordered their subordinates and soldiers to take
amongst the people, different forms ofcontrol schools, factories and government
government; capitalism, socialism, and democracy,agencies. Step by step, this revolution moved to
also provide different perspectives. We couldbecome stricter and stricter. Many elderly people
define the word justice by presenting a figure ofwere not only mentally attacked but also
a blindfold woman with a set of scales. The scalesphysically (cultural revolution, internet, p.1-2). Other
symbolize balance and fairness; the blindfoldresemblances were seen in turning all the private
stands for impartiality (McKenna, 1998, 7).property into state ownership and the great leap
“Justice does not necessarily meanforward approach. Ben Kiernan wrote about
treating everyone alike; otherwise all workersChinese financial aids to Democratic Kampuchea
would receive the same pay and all studentsthat; in September 13, 1975 diplomatic source in
would earn the same grade, regardless ofBeijing claimed that China increased un-aligned
performance or effort. The impartiality of justicefinancial/military aids to Cambodia up to one billion
is not completely indiscriminate” (McKenna,USD and twenty millions USD as rewards. This
1998, 7). For Aristotle’s perspective, justwas thought as the most impressive aids of China
is “the proportional,” meaning thatever been given to any country (Chandler, 1991,
each person should be given what is due to himp.260). David P. Chandler added that; most
or her (McKenna, 1998, 8).Justice was never beenfarmers, happy or unhappy, were owed to their
done in the Pol Pot regime. What Pol Pot hadcreditor, China (Chandler, 1991, p.239). Many new
promised that his regime would bring thepeople saw the point that they had to work to
innovative circle for the people; justice,feed themselves and to increase the agrarian
opportunity for the uneducated and the poor,productivities. Such a stance was diminished after
turning elite’s political power intothe 1975’s output was seen to deliver to
people’s hands, etc, were been done veryfar-away unloaded destination by government
little. On the outset of its governance, Democratictrucks. In fact, the government delivered
Kampuchea divided people into two groups;thousand of tones of rice to China to pay the
“base people” and “newdebts. The 1976’s finished rice was to be
people”. This I would call the seconddeliver as well, but due to excessive demands
apartheid, like in South Africa. The new people hadfrom the government, starvation became
much harsher living conditions and torture,widespread (Chandler, 1991, p. 239).All the above
compared to the base people. Even in theevident has unveiled the Democratic Kampuchea
one-party-one-candidate election, base peoplethat hadn’t protect people from foreign
were not allowed to vote at all. Resulting frominvasion at all. In contrast, people were enslaved
this, one query has been arisen; why Democraticto pay the debts of the government back to
Kampuchea had discrimination on its own people?China.IV. Promoting The General Welfare?Maslow
We can venture to answer the question that,asserted that People desire for hierarchy of
because Pol Pot had long had revengefulmotives; starting from physiological needs to
mentality.For the whole reigning period ofsafety needs to love needs, esteem needs, and
Democratic Kampuchea, Cambodian people werefinally self-actualization needs (Myers,1990, 314).
forced to devote their lives to unpaid labour forceBesides the three chronological obligations of the
to fulfill the earthly “collective agrariangovernment written above, government is
utopia” policy. CPK soldiers were taughtassigned to be the welfare-supplier to all the
the culture of detest toward Royal dynasties,Cambodian citizens. Business regulation, helping the
intellectuals, the rich, and Sihanouk and Londisabled and orphans in the form of payments or
Nol’s adherents. Over the years, they hasshelters. For this purpose, varieties of institution,
been trained to hate “enemies of thegovernmental organizations, and non-governmental
organization” – the Americans, whoorganizations have been established to accelerate
bombed the country, the traitors allied to thethe process. Constitution also claims the role of
Americans, and the city-dwellers, who hadthe government on this goal.Government should
refused to join the revolution. They were taughtbe like a tree that unconditionally and tirelessly
to relish their resentments; a CPK cadre toldprovides shade to all who are in need. Or like the
Sophy “we were so angry when weparents who cater cares for the children.
emerge from the forest that we didn’tGovernment would always heroically venture to
want to spare even a baby in its cradle (Chandler,sacrifice everything for the goods of its citizens,
1991, p.253).” Before 1977-1978, revengeas Buth Savong, Cambodia’s Buddhist
between classes was widespread. Onephilosophy scholar, wrote in his book called
handwritten document, entitled ‘Who“The Lesson for Life”;In the dry
Leads the People’s War?’,season, absence of wind, in the middle of field,
illustrates the absolute character of Democraticthe heat is enormously high, but the tree can still
Kampuchea’s government with a veiledbare such an ordeal respectfully.Look! Admire the
reference to Sihanouk:…Therefore the onlytree that provides cool shade to men and animals,
leaders of the people’s war are the layeralways be tolerant to the sun’s ray, in
of the people who experience the greatestaccordance to her nature.Likewise, the guardian
expression, the greatest pain, and have thebreadwinner is the comfortable shade of the
greatest anger are the most absolute in wagingother, he or herself has to possess the quality of
war to exterminate the exploiting classes, theendurance, struggle for the hardship.Admire the
imperialists, the feudalists and the capitalists.parents! Both of them are the guardians
These layers of people are the toiler class. Andbreadwinners of the child/children, how have they
the highest Organization, the top generalendured the suffering (Buth Savong, 2003,
command, the vanguard force, with the boldestp.58)…Or like in the book entitled,
line of attack for the toiler class, is the toiler“The Tao Inner Peace”, Diane
Party, which is adorned with the greatest brillianceDreher suggested the style of leadership through
of Maxist-Leninist consciousness and endowedTaoist philosophy. In that book, she stated that
with a political line and political standpoint ofleader would resemble the water, which is always
serving above all the interests of the producingcool and timelessly beneficial.“The best
class, and of the nation...(Ben Kiernan, 1985,people (government) are like water.They benefits
p.326)In September 1977, Pol Pot encouraged theall things,And do not compete with them.They
farming strata of people by comparing them tosettle in low places,…” (Dreher,
the empire of Angkor Wat;Long ago we have1990,180).Democratic Kampuchea’s
Angkor. Angkor was built during the slaving era.general welfare was far below zero, people were
Slaves like us built Angkor under the exploitationforced to live their lives back into the primitive
class so the royal people can live in happiness. Iftradition during antiquity.ConclusionGovernment is a
our people can built Angkor, they can do anythingmean to an end! There is no need at all, if men
(Chandler, 1996, p.246).All the culture and tradition;are innately insightful, philosophical, psychologically
language, religion, clothing, food, etc, of ethnicenlightened. But since men are evil creatures,
minorities and even of Cambodian people weregovernment is required to cease the upheavals of
abolished, except the Khmer language was thethe people. The four basic duties stated above, is
only cultural item to be retained. Familyism wasinitial answer to the question “why
still seen among the top leaders of Democraticgovernment?”. Still government has many
Kampuchea; relatives of the leaders were not tomore compulsions to be executed to be worth
be evacuated or tortured (Chandler, 1993, p.210).called people’s government. Democratic
All people were not allowed to have access toKampuchea didn’t fill any among the four
lawyers or judges at all, they were convicted byobligations as they did contract with the people,
the Democratic Kampuchea’s soldierswhile campaigning for popular support. Such a
only, though Chapter 7, Article 9 stated thatgang government is not supposed to last long,
“Justice is administered bybecause they deploy forces to make people
people’s courts, representing andrespect them.Professor Atiyah, in one of his
defending the people’s justice, defendingedition called “Promises, Morals, and
the democratic rights and liberties of the people,Law” wrote that; A human being has only
and condemning any activities directed against thevery limited capacity to improve his lot in the
people’s State or violating the laws of theworld when he acts entirely on his own. It is only
people’s State (Jennar, 1995, p.85).II.by exchanging his surplus goods, and the products
Ensuring Domestic Tranquility?Philosopher Reinholdof his labour, with others, and by thus joining with
Niebuhr noted that “every communitythem in cooperative activities that man has been
seeks consciously and unconsciously to makeable to create the wealth which satisfies the
social peace and order the first goal of itswants of human race. No single person acting on
life” and he also added that “forhis own could begin to make one-thousandth of
the simple reason that chaos meansthe goods which he uses in his daily life-the food
nonexistence” (McKenna, 1998, 9). Ashe eats, the house he lives in, the car or train in
stated above, because men are innatelywhich he travels to work, are all the result of
self-important, government is the compulsoryco-operation by an unimaginable number of people.
institution to cater domestic tranquility. MadisonSo it is easy to agree that anything which
wrote that since men were no angels, we requireencourages or facilitates human co-operation is,
some kind of armed umpire to keep us fromother things being equal, of great utility (Atiyah,
harming one another (McKenna, 1998, 9).1995, p.30-31). Democratic Kampuchea
Professor George McKenna proclaimed thatgovernment is thought to be full of milk of
coercion is the available source of theself-interest; turning the whole society to fit their
government to stabilize the state (McKenna, 1998,needs. Perhaps now we can venture to answer
7), and no one can hold this source besides thethe question why did Democratic Kampuchea last
government, which is comprised of people. Whattoo short? by using Professor Atiyah’s
about the Democratic Kampuchea, had themstatements and because they turn the whole
done such an obligation?In May 1975, asociety into self-interest.