The state in the third millennium

"What should the state look like in the third millennium? That is the question addressed in this book by Hans-Adam II, The Reigning Prince of Liechtenstein, drawing on two decades of experience as ruler of a constitutional monarchy." "The State in the Third Millennium analyzes the forces that have shaped human history in the past and are likely to do so for the foreseeable future. Prince Hans-Adam explores strategies on how to realize worldwide the modern democratic constitutional state in the third millennium. He observes that citizens should no longer be viewed as servants of the state, but rather that states be converted into benevolent service companies which serve the people as their customers." "Prince Hans-Adam's explorations of governance range wide, including his analysis of direct and indirect democracies via the experience of the American Revolution and the Swiss Constitution of 1848. He draws lessons on opportunities for reform derived from his own observations of Liechtenstein's paths to political reform."--Jacket.

Includes index.

The right to self-determination -- a personal conviction -- The origins of the state -- The role of religion in the formation of the state -- The size of states and the influence of military technology -- Monarchy, oligarchy, democracy -- The American Revolution and indirect democracy -- The Swiss constitution of 1848 and the path to direct democracy -- Liechtenstein's constitutional reform of 2003 -- The deficiencies of traditional democracy -- The state of the future -- The constitutional state -- The welfare state -- The education system -- Transportation -- Public finances -- The national currency -- Other state duties -- A constitution for the state of the future -- Strategies to achieve the state of the future -- A perspective on the third millennium -- Appendix: A draft constitution for the state in the third millennium *