Political Constraints on Development in Laos

Abstract

This chapter deals with politics in contemporary Laos, particularly as this activity relates to the development process. I shall draw from interviews conducted with Lao government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and officials in international agencies during my research visits to Laos in December 1985 and December 1987. The discussion begins with the current leadership of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), the LPDR’s constitutional development, the leaders’ goals, and the resources available to them as they attempt, to implement these goals. The focus will then shift to the capacity of Laos to absorb external capital critical to Lao development, identifying key political constraints on that absorptive capacity.