Abstract

This research paper studies the impact of vision on the ongoing political, economic and social transformation of two nation-states, Malaysia and Cambodia. Although these countries vary in terms of their political history, both constitutional monarchies had introduced an ideal image regarding their future orientations. In addition, what both countries have in common is that their visions aim to achieve the same objective: Becoming high-income economies within a specific time frame. The paper starts with the analysis of social systems, highlighting the role of vision as an enabler of the large-scale transformation of the nation-states. The sections of the paper presenting the analysis of Malaysia’s Vision 2020 and Cambodia Vision 2050 document these transformations. The research paper also analyzes how each country creates, communicates and implements their respective visions. Vision empowers the nation-state, and it shows that a social transformation is feasible only when citizens understand and support the change effort. In its conclusion, the research paper attempts to outline how successful both countries will be in meeting their respective objectives.

 Keywords: Social system, Nation-state, Vision, Transformation, Malaysia, Vision 2020, Cambodia Vision 2050, High-income economy, Change effort.