| The Mouse that Snarled |
24 March 2003
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Lichtenstein Vote is a Huge Step Back
While the world was watching the sad and inept attempts of the United Nations Security Council to achieve some kind of consensus, the tiny principality of Lichtenstein held a referendum the results of which could spell misery for that postage stamp of a nation. Prince Hans Adam II threatened to leave Vaduz for Vienna if his side lost, and its a shame he isn't on permanent holiday in Austria.
The constitutional referendum gives His Highness the right to sack the government if he chooses, to veto legislation if he desires and to nominate those judges of whom he approves. Many commentators have noted that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II holds these same powers, but there is a fundamental difference. Her power can not be used without forcing a huge crisis that might result in the Republic of Britain. Hans Adam II has the vox populi on which to rely, so one may presume he will use his powers at every opportunity.
Opposition spokesman Sebastian Frommelt criticized the people's decision, rightly, saying, "This has to be the first country in Europe to use a democratic vote to step back into the middle ages." One might point out that Herr Hitler was voted into office, but that is a quibble of smallest proportions. The fact is that the voters of Lichtenstein have given one man too much power.
There are rare men who can handle the government of a society; Julius Caesar and George Washington were such men. But a hereditary monarchy coupled with this kind of power ends, eventually, in tears. There is no evidence that Hans Adam is not Caesar and Washington rolled into one, but there is not guarantee that his successor, or some distant successor will not play the role of George III, or worse Charles I, Louis XVI or Nicholas II. Sometimes, the people can't be trusted with the ballot.