5.3.2 Ideologies and Authoritarianism



"To keep you is no benefit. To destroy you is no loss."

-Khmer Rouge motto

In 1975, the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia. They threw out the elected government and proceeded to drive all people from the cities into the countryside where they were forced to farm and fish. Those who disagreed were killed immediately or sent to prisons where men, women, and children were tortured and then killed. Children were indoctrinated and were given leadership roles in executing dissenters.

The Khmer Rouge, an agrarian communist dictatorship in Cambodia under leader Pol Pot, believed that the people of Cambodia would be better off if they returned to their roots as an agricultural nation, became entirely self-sufficient, and revered the glorious history of the Khmer Kingdom.

Their authoritarian regime lasted from 1975 until 1979 when the Vietnamese army entered the country. The regime resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million people, 20% of the nation's population-one of the largest genocides in modern history.

The Khmer Rouge, similar to the Nazis, kept detailed records of those they imprisoned. The image is from Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocide, a former high school turned prison camp, where more than 6000 photos of victims were left behind by the Khmer Rouge as they fled from the Vietnamese.

Please watch the following video explain Pol Pot:

 

  

 "Pol Pot- The Communist Leader of Khmer Rouge/Mini Bio/Bio", Biography, You-tube

 



A Vision of the Future

The Khmer Rouge, like many authoritarian regimes, followed an ideology that included an idealized version of the past and a utopian vision of the future. In their vision, all citizens would live a communal lifestyle, produce their own food, clothing, and medicine, and be free from the influence of other nations. They established a regime that pitted the "new people" against the "old people"-urban against rural, educated against uninformed, those who had travelled and knew about the outside world against those who followed a traditional lifestyle. As most authoritarian regimes, the Khmer Rouge were not interested in the "will of the people" or individual rights. They believed that their actions were for the common good, and they were prepared to take the necessary steps to make their vision a reality.

Please watch the following video explain Khmer Rouge:

 

 

 Death of a Nation: The Khmer Rouge's Cambodia", Rare Earth, You-tube

 




Compare the vision of the Khmer Rouge with what you have learned about the vision of the communists of the former Soviet Union and the fascists of Nazi Germany. Although all three regimes may have believed they were acting in the best interests of their people, were they? What evidence could you use to support or refute this idea?


  • Compare the vision of the Khmer Rouge with what you have learned about the vision of the communists of the former Soviet Union and the fascists of Nazi Germany. How are they similar? How do they differ?
  • Although all three regimes may have believed they were acting in the best interests of their people, were they?
  • What evidence could you use to support or refute this idea?


What does the example of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia suggest about the following:
  • Do authoritarian regimes act for the common good? List examples with your answer.
  • Do they reflect the will of the people? If so, how? If not, do you have examples support your answer?
  • How does the government use the techniques of dictatorship to maintain control?