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The Khmer Rouge killed about 25% of the Cambodian people. They become aware that only an external force could change the power structure, and this happened with the Cambodian–Vietnamese War.

If they continued killing people, then less people would produce food (they used low tech for farming). Starvation would increase, and the cycle continue.

Is there a study about what would have happened if Khmer Rouge remained in power in Cambodia? Would the country have descended into chaos, and become a failed state?

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Yes, a chaotic failed state would have been so much worse... – T.E.D.♦ Aug 28 '12 at 13:43
Have you ever read 1984? The book describes a political system bent on producing without benefiting and not creating a surplus through war. Orwell, the author, writes that without a surplus, nothing can change. (I am abbreviating about 20 pages) Based on his distopian, since the Khmer Rouge followed the story exactly, other than collapsing because of war, I'd guess nothing would ever change, the population would dwindle until there was no one left to feed the rulers, who would then die. – Russell Aug 29 '12 at 11:21
@T.E.D. A totalitarian powerful state would have been much worse... :) – Russell Aug 29 '12 at 11:22

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