Description

The Princely House of Liechtenstein is a small nation between Switzerland and Austria.

It is a constitutional monarchy, home to approximately 40,000 residents.

Constitution of Liechtenstein

The constitution establishes a dualist government, meaning both the monarch and the people both hold power in the affairs of the nation.

The constitution expressly permits local communities to remove their affairs from the control of the prince.

Another important aspect of the constitution is its inclusion of a mechanism to dissolve the monarchy.

With such a mechanism for succession and the dissolution of the monarchy, the government has an incentive to keep people in local communities happy, or else they can form a new country.

Liechtenstein and Live and Let Live

Liechtenstein exercises direct democracy. This means eligible voters may propose new laws themselves and any laws which the government proposes must be voted on by the citizens.

Liechtenstein does engage in taxation and compulsory military service, both of which breach the Legal Principle.

Yet, the nation enables self-sovereignty to a far greater degree than most countries.

While Liechtenstein is not structured on voluntary consent, the state does provide clear and practical avenues to opt-out of its legal systems.

Flag of Liechtenstein

Further Resources

• Hans-Adam II, The State in the Third Millennium (van Eck, 2010)
• https://fuerstenhaus.li/en/the-monarchy/the-liechtenstein-constitution/
• https://www.liechtenstein.li/en