| Abstract: |
Angkor’s six centuries of control over a significant portion of Southeast Asia might be attributed to an economy based on a stable supply of rice. Within the society, the power of elites can be seen through involvement in local temples and administration, with links to the centre, manifest in royal endorsements of land acquisitions for new temples. Elite families, together with their temples, prospered from their lands and increasingly commodified workers. State tax collection, mainly of rice, was largely by local officials passing a portion to the centre mainly in the form of high-value goods (HVG)—available through a near elite monopoly—in this moneyless society. Elite control of HVG may have restricted the development of a merchant class, and few of the luxury imports went far beyond the centre. The state likely acquired key commodities such as iron and forest products through taxation or tribute. Angkor’s small but increasing international trade from the 10th century was likely boosted by a transfer of wealth to the elite, which would have heightened the interest in international luxury goods. This would have enhanced the economic importance of the river ports on the Mekong and in turn elite pressure to move the capital.
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