The Use of Political Power by the Paris Student Group during the Khmer rouge Regime 1975-1979

Abstract

This article studies the rise of the Paris student group within the Khmer Rouge, and their influence and role in the Communist Party at Kampuchea that led to the establishment of the Democratic of Kampuchea Government. It demonstrates that the use of political power by the Paris section of the Khmer Rouge when they governed the country between 1975–1979 was propelled by the vision of rapid, total and brutal societal changes, influenced more by hatred, revenge and ignorance than the use of reason. This resulted in wrong policies that adversely affected Kampuchea's economy and society, bringing suffering to the people that eventually led the Democratic of Kampuchea Government to being charged with genocide, a crime against humanity.