Shadow Economies and the State: A Comparison of Cassava and Timber Networks on the Cambodia-Vietnam Frontier

ABSTRACT

This article extends understandings of “shadow economies” – networked, economic exchanges outside formal state regulation – and specifically how they are socially, economically and politically nested within frontier landscapes. The article analyses two related commodities that are often cast differently upon the legality spectrum: timber and cassava. By comparing the actors, relationships and practices that facilitate timber and cassava trade across the Cambodia-Vietnam border, two significant points of connection are identified: border checkpoints and land transactions, both through state actors. The analysis therefore exposes the systemic role of state actors in shadow economies and broader processes of frontier commodification, supported by their regulatory mandate. Methodologically, the study illustrates how examining relationships between commodities can help to illuminate the mechanisms, relationships and ambiguities of shadow economies operating in resource frontiers in border areas.

KEYWORDS:

• Shadow economy
• commodity networks
• frontier
• cassava
• timber
• borders

Acknowledgements

This research is supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT130101495 Frontiers of change: resources, access and political agency on the Cambodia-Vietnam borderland). The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Australian government or the Australian Research Council. An earlier version of the article was presented at the Workshop on Cross-border Exchanges and the Shadow Economy, held at IIAS, Leiden on December 14–15, 2015. Sincere thanks to workshop participants for their rich contributions, particularly Tak-Wing Ngo and my discussant, Pal Nyri. Many thanks to all the Cambodian and Vietnamese colleagues who helped me in the field. Thanks are also due to the following people for their contributions: Phuc Xuan To for sharing his data on timber trade; Patrick Drake-Brockman for preparing and advising on interpretation of the network graphs; Sophie Dowling for editing support, and Katie Dyt for assistance with archival research. Numerous conversations with Sarah Milne and Phuc Xuan To have aided my understanding of timber networks. Any remaining errors are my own.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest has been reported by the author.

Notes

1. Data were also collected on dried cassava chips and smallholder rubber networks across this border landscape but are not included in this study.

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT130101495 Frontiers of change: resources, access and political agency on the Cambodia-Vietnam borderland). The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Australian government or the Australian Research Council.