Direct democracy and autocracy in Liechtenstein

Abstract

The state of Liechtenstein is characterized by special importance, despite its small area, small population, and limited resources, as a result of its experience in ruling the country. This arouses attention of many people to give an accurate classification about the democracy of its political regime. It is a hybrid regime based on the distribution of power between two main pillars of the country, represented by the popular will, through the practice of the tools of direct democracy that allows people to participate in the decision-making process; and individual rule, represented by the prince, with the exercise of power by them. However, this regime do not eliminate the role of institutions from exercising its duties within legal constitutional frameworks that regulate the work of the state and institutional frameworks that carry out the tasks of legislation, implementation, and judiciary, like other countries. But the difference lies in that; they are institutions that are not the decision-makers in enforcing policies, which makes this regime the focus of discussion and exchange of opinions about its ability to disengage and overlap in the decision-making process; and how institutions carry out their roles in light of such a structure of governance that combines democracy, individualism, and institutionalism in governing the country, and the method of reconciliation between them. So that it maintains its survival and existence in this form and tools and enjoys satisfaction and acceptance that contributes to its support and stability and the development of its political, economic, and social sectors.