The State in the Third Millennium
The State in the Third Millennium by Prince Hans-Adam II is a political theory at its finest. The central question of the book is: What kind of state do we need in the third millennium? Through historical analysis, a broad view on current affairs, and a peek into the future, Prince Hans-Adam II answers this questions to the fullest extent. Central to his work is the hypothesis that people should not be servants of the state, but that the state should become a service enterprise for the people.
After a thorough description of the development of the state, and in particular democracy, the book turns towards a distinction within democracies. It states that in most Western countries, we are engaging in an indirect democracy, one in which we vote for a party, which then puts forward people in parliament. It is a government that is centralized and has little feeling of what is really going on in different municipalities. The power lies in the hands of an elite few, and votes are won by being the most popular candidate. Prince Hans-Adam II proposes to give most of the power to municipalities, to govern on a level that is comprehensible for the people to understand, and participate.
Prince Hans-Adam II is a wonderful writer. Through eye-opening revelations, hard truths, and a call to action, he engages you to actively think about the structure of governance. As an economist, monarch, politician, historian, and businessman, he takes on many different angles that will make for a successful state in the third millennium. Although the author of this article is no political studies (or public administration) student, he has had the pleasure of meeting Prince Hans-Adam II. A wise old man, that has written down his insights and knowledge in a book you should read when convenient!
The Book:
More on The State in the Third Millennium
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AXBX3e1T64 – Interview with Prince Hans-Adam II
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governance – Wikipedia on Governance