Publication Date

2026

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Hamayotsu, Kikue

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Political Science

Abstract

The debate on the continued rise of China remains relevant and central in global politics. China has been employing soft power as a strategic approach to enhance its reputation as a global power on the international stage. While China has made tremendous efforts in soft power diplomacy to foster positive perceptions among many countries, the global survey on the perception of China remains largely negative with only a slight increase in positive perceptions. This thesis examines the younger generation or youth perceptions of China’s economic soft power. This qualitative research uses the case study of Cambodia as small state and in-depth interviews that were conducted online among 10 Cambodian urban/elite youth located in Phnom Penh. The finding indicates ambivalence perceptions among youth toward China’s economic soft power in Cambodia. The findings reveal a significant insight on the effectiveness of China’s soft power, small states perceptions of security, and it highlights the importance of younger generation perceptions of China’s influence.

Extent

81 pages

Language

en

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Share

COinS