John D. Ciorciari

Hybrid Justice: The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia

Over three decades after the fall of the Pol Pot regime, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC)--a UN-backed tribunal fusing Cambodian and international law, procedure, and personnel--was established to try key Khmer Rouge officials for atrocities they committed. In Hybrid Justice , John D. Ciorciari and Anne Heindel trace the tribunals evolution and reveal the influence of contemporary local political forces on its unique form and function. Although international legal norms have largely been observed, political wrangling between national and international actors has greatly influenced the pace, jurisdictional scope, and perceived legitimacy of the courts proceedings. After examining the ECCCs performance in judicial affairs, administration, public outreach, and victim participation, the authors offer preliminary assessments of its contributions to justice, truth, and reconciliation. In the conclusion, they discuss apparent strengths and shortcomings of the hybrid model as an alternative to domestic or fully international tribunals.

China and the Pol Pot Regime

This article attempts to shed additional light on one of the most sensitive aspects of Chinas Cold War legacy – its support for Pol Pots Democratic Kampuchea (DK) between April 1975 and January 1979. Drawing on field interviews with former Khmer Rouge cadres and official DK records, it examines how the terms of the Sino-DK entente were understood by the parties and affected Chinese influence on the ground. The evidence shows that despite providing important technical guidance, China developed little influence over high-level Khmer Rouge policies, even when such policies put Chinas own interests at risk. The Sino-DK relationship illustrates the capacity of weak states to exercise considerable autonomy in asymmetric alliances and some of the dangers of relatively unconditional great power assistance.

Cambodia's Trek Toward Reconciliation

John Paul Lederach has famously described reconciliation as “a journey to a place where truth, justice, peace, and mercy meet.” That process involves managing profound paradoxes, such as trying to ...

Contracting Out, Legitimacy, and State Building

ABSTRACT Contracting out what are traditionally regarded as core sovereign functions is an iconic example of governance in areas of limited statehood. When national political authorities share sovereign authority with external actors, at least two key questions arise. First, when will such arrangements be accepted as legitimate? Second, how can they boost the capacity and legitimacy of state institutions? We argue that the dominant source of external actors’ legitimacy will be their performance. External actors that perform well can help create ‘islands of excellence’ in the domestic system that can raise the effectiveness and legitimacy of other local institutions. However, this type of virtuous cycle is rare and depends on external, domestic elite, and public support – a formula not easily achieved. We illustrate these arguments with several brief case studies.

China's Influence on Monetary Policy in Developing Asia

For decades, the United States has enjoyed extensive policy influence stemming from its hegemonic position within the international monetary order – a position defined both by the dollar’s status as the principal reserve currency and U.S primacy in international financial forums and institutions. More recently, China has begun to amass many of the trappings of a great monetary power, accounting for 16% of global GDP-PPP, 11% of world merchandise trade, and more than 30% of global foreign exchange reserves. China’s emergence is among the key factors leading many analysts to forecast the emergence of a more multipolar international monetary system and diffusion of policy influence in that arena. This paper investigates the extent to which China has translated its growing economic capabilities into monetary policy influence in other capitals, focusing on South and Southeast Asia, one of the first regions in which Chinese influence might be expected to appear. The paper examines various mechanisms through which China could exercise monetary policy influence: through international institutions, regional initiatives, and bilateral engagement. The evidence shows that China’s monetary policy influence has been quite limited to date, lagging China’s capabilities by a significant margin. This is due largely to a continuing deficit in Chinese “structural power” in a dollar-dominated monetary system that continues to confer major legacy advantages on the United States and upon which China has relied heavily for its own economic development. The paper suggests that while many aspects of the global economic order have changed, it will be some time before China develops monetary policy influence commensurate with its overall economic capabilities.

What Kind of Great Power Will India Be

Although often overshadowed by the rise of China, Indias ascent since its era of economic liberalization has been one of the most dramatic developments in the international system over the past quarter century. As India moves toward great-power status, its strategic choices could have game-changing effects on the international system. This paper explores India‘s evolving alignment posture and broader foreign policy orientation, attempting to put Indias rapprochement with the United States and other aspects of its strategic behavior in theoretical perspective.