A Prince of a Fellow
It appears to have been lost in the headlines about the latest job numbers, but the news from the tiny principality of Liechtenstein is that 76 percent of its voters sided with their prince by rejecting a referendum that would have eliminated his veto power over referenda. The vote was provoked by an earlier refendum that would have legalized abortion -- something Prince Alois von und zu Liechtenstein said he would veto. That effort also failed.
Years ago, I spent some time in Lichtenstein for both The Wall Street Journal Europe and Reader's Digest. This little European state is one of Europe's most prosperous, not to mention one of its most free. I recall the prince's grandfather, Franz Josef, saying something on the order of: "I was a supply-sider back when Ronald Reagan was still a New Deal Democrat."
His grandson had said that if the people of Liechtenstein voted to take away his veto, he would step down as prince.
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Comments:
Nov '11
Re: A Prince of a Fellow
A monarch is the people's only protection from tyranny.
Re: A Prince of a Fellow
It's hard to figure out quite where an enthusiasm for the splendid little principality of Liechtenstein fits in democratic political theory, but I'm with Bill: Whatever the princely family has going over there, it works. If only it were available for export.
Below, my interview with Prince Alois's father, Prince Hans Adam.
May '10
Re: A Prince of a Fellow
I had the pleasure of spending some time in Vaduz last year. He leads a beautiful and prosperous country.
Sep '11
Re: A Prince of a Fellow
Perhaps a little too much "direct democracy" to translate to a large nation (yes, ancient Athens, we are thinking of you), but they have a great deal to (re)teach us; free markets, finance, manufacturing, free trade, low taxes, etc. Sitting between 2 of the most prosperous countries in Europe (Switzerland and Austria) doesn't hurt either.
The result: as I recall from Peter's interview with Prince Hans-Adam, the largest per capita GDP on the planet. Not bad for a little country that most people hear of every 4 years during the Winter Olympics.
Dec '11
Re: A Prince of a Fellow
After I watched the UK some time ago, Liechtenstien is on the short list of places for me to claim refugee status. I wonder if they need UC engineers/managers........
Jun '11
Re: A Prince of a Fellow
I wonder if their border is as porous as ours? I might be able to sneak in.