The State in The Third Millennium
“We in the Princely House are convinced that the Liechtenstein monarchy is a partnership between the people and the Princely House, a partnership that should be voluntary and based on mutual respect. As long as we in the Princely House are convinced that the monarchy can make a positive contribution to the country and its people, that a majority of the people desire this, and that certain conditions are fulfilled, such as the autonomy of our family as established in our house law, we shall gladly provide the head of state.” — Hans Adam II
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Hans Adam II gives the reader nice perspectives on governance and history that only someone in his position would be able to. As the Head of the Princely House of Liechtenstein, he tells the story of his family in the business of running a microstate for generations, explaining how the tiny principality was able to retain its independence as neighboring empires rose and collapsed.
The book works primarily with the classical government concept of monarchy, oligarchy and democracy being the three fundamental components of states, which statesmen should try balancing as much as possible. It’s important to note that Hans sees these driving forces inside all states –the “monarchical” element, for example, doesn’t always have to be a king, being present in republics as the president.
Hans’ key insight is that indirect democracy, ideologies or divine legitimation are all insufficient for building the state of the third millennium: Only a state which gives its citizens self-determination is going to succeed in the long run. This would be done by implementing direct-democracy to its maximum extent and ultimately giving local communities the right of secession, transforming the state from a coercive monopoly to an opted-into service-provider.
Lastly, he explains how he implemented his ideas in Liechtenstein through a constitutional reform in 2003. This certainly is a necessary book for those who want to understand the mind behind the Liechtenstein phenomenon.
The book is split into 13 chapters, in which Hans shares his thoughts on many issues of statecraft, including the ideal role of the state, foreign policy, the role of religion in society, the extent to which governmental structures should be decentralized and more.
Creators of zones and societies will find in chapters 8, 11, 12 the description of Liechtenstein’s model, the template for a third millennium constitution and how to achieve the state of the future.
Policymakers and analysts can take a look at chapters 5, 9, 10 to understand the deficiencies of traditional democracies, what alternatives are available and how an effective balance of powers can be established.
Scholars and experts may read chapters 1 to 7 for historical perspectives and to understand the development of Liechtenstein and European institutions through the eyes of a monarch involved in this process.
The book can be found here.
Written by: Francisco Litvay
