Prince Hans Adam, hereditary Prince Alois, Prince Wenzel – Fürstentum Liechtenstein english One Princely House  three generations Liechtenstein is a hereditary monarchy and this year is celebrating two special anniversaries: the 25th anniversary of Prince Hans Adam II von und zu Liechtenstein acceding to the throne and the 10th anniversary of H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois being named his representative. Following the death of H.S.H. Prince Franz Josef II on 13 November 1989, H.S.H. Prince Hans Adam became Reigning Prince of the Principality of Liechtenstein. On 15 August 2004 he appointed his son, H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois, as his representative and entrusted to him all national and international duties inherent to the head of state. Since then H.S.H. has exercised all sovereign rights. The next in line to the throne is his son, Prince Wenzel.

On 1 July 1983, on the 45th anniversary of his accession to the throne, Prince Franz Josef II announced that in spring 1984 he would hand over sovereign rights to his son, Hereditary Prince Hans-Adam, stating: I am sure that he will benefit from the same affection and cooperation that I have enjoyed over all these years. The unity of the Prince, the Princely House and the People is the most important guarantee for a future full of hope for the country. Following the death of H.S.H. Prince Franz Josef II on 13 November 1989, H.S.H. Prince Hans Adam II became head of state. Therefore, on 13 November 2014 Liechtenstein celebrated the 25th anniversary of Prince Hans Adam II taking the throne. On 15 August 2004 he appointed his son, H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois, as his representative and entrusted to him all national and international duties inherent to the head of state of the Principality of Liechtenstein. To mark the 25th anniversary of H.S.H.

Prince Hans Adam II succeeding to the throne and the 10th anniversary of H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois being installed as his representative, this interview was carried out with the three generations of the Princely Family  Reigning Prince Hans Adam, Hereditary Prince Alois and 19-year-old Prince Wenzel. Interview: Johannes Kaiser Serene Highness, is being a small country like Liechtenstein in a large international community a recipe for success? H.S.H. Prince Hans Adam: Not only the success but also the survival of a small state in Europe is very much dependent on the European political environment and the political leadership in the small state itself. Between the end of the Middle Ages and the middle of the 20th century the political climate in Europe was not favourable for small states. During this period almost all of the small states that had developed during the Middle Ages disappeared. The Principality of Liechtenstein managed to survive primarily thanks to the strong position the Princely House enjoys in Europe  be it in politics, science or the military.

It wasnt until the political consolidation in Europe following the Second World War, the downfall of the huge Soviet empire and the creation of free-trade areas that the conditions for small states improved decisively. However, even with the right conditions in place you still need political leaders who are willing and able to use the opportunities that arise from such an improved climate. H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois: Being a small state is in itself not a recipe for success. Small states have advantages and disadvantages compared to larger countries. Disadvantages include the lack of economic and military power, a small domestic market and not being able to benefit from economies of scale. The effect these have depends very much on the political and economic conditions the small state is exposed to at regional and international level. Advantages include close relations between politics and the people, the resulting high level of transparency on state processes and the fact that a small state simply cannot afford to have lots of bureaucracy and a problematic economic policy with large subsidies. However, these advantages  particularly those arising from the closeness between politics and the people  also have to be used.

For me this means reacting quickly to changing conditions, gaining broad support among the population for decisions and using the synergies that result from a less complex bureaucratic system. Liechtenstein is currently undergoing fundamental changes in structure. Where do you see the risks and where do you see the opportunities? H.S.H. Prince Hans Adam: Every modern state is in a permanent process of structural change. Some branches shrink, others grow. In the long term it is not possible to prevent a branch or company that is no longer competitive from shrinking. The decisive thing is that the state must provide the best possible environment for new entrepreneurs or new structures within existing companies so that the economy as a whole can continue to grow and compensate for job losses in other areas. A good environment includes low taxes, a good infrastructure  not least when it comes to communication  and a population with good education and qualifications. Here, Liechtenstein offers outstanding conditions  but our competitors are by no means twiddling their thumbs. Thats why we must permanently work to further improve our system. However, I dont believe it is the states job to use subsidies or other measures to support certain branches and obstruct others. H.S.H.

Hereditary Prince Alois: I agree with this view on structural change. The main risks associated with structural change are attempts to prevent it happening rather than using the chances that it offers. In which direction do you think Liechtenstein will develop? H.S.H. Prince Hans Adam: The political and economic climate in Europe is decisive for Liechtenstein. This climate stabilised somewhat following the downfall of the Soviet empire, though the developments in Ukraine still provide an element of uncertainty. A further element of uncertainty in economic terms is the high sovereign debt levels of European countries. However, I believe that even if the Ukraine descends into civil war or certain European states go bankrupt, the impact on Liechtenstein will be limited. Liechtensteins industry and our services sector are also competitive outside Europe, which can mitigate the effects of setbacks in Europe. H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois: In the coming years Liechtenstein will continue to face an environment that is more difficult than the one we experienced in the 30 years leading up to 2008. However, at an international level Liechtenstein is still in a very good position and can continue this good development if it takes the right reform steps in the next months. H.S.H.

Prince Wenzel: I am confident that my generation will also contribute to a positive development of Liechtenstein. Hereditary Prince Alois, how are you preparing your son for the important role of Prince that he will assume in the future? H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois: As well as the usual things that all parents try to teach their children as they grow up, I tell him about the head of states responsibilities and give him advice on the best way to prepare for these. This includes talking about which subjects at school, internships, university courses and work experience can help him. Why is Vaduz Castle not open to the general public? Could you imagine opening it up to visitors? H.S.H. Prince Hans Adam: Vaduz Castle could only be run as a museum if we moved out. When my father moved to Liechtenstein in 1938 there was a general desire among the population for him to live in the castle. Around 40 years ago I myself suggested that we should move out of the castle and turn it into a museum in order to save money. However, back then there was a lot of opposition to this proposal and I think little has changed today.

Liechtenstein: Geography, History, Politics, and More National Holiday: Assumption Day, August 15 Literacy rate: 100% Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2009 est.): $3.2 billion; per capita $89,400 (2009). Real growth rate: 1.8% (2012). Inflation: -0.7% (2012). Unemployment: 2.8% (2009). Arable land: 21.88%. Agriculture: wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products. Labor force: 35,830 note: 51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commute daily from Austria, Switzerland, or Germany (2010) ; industry 39.4%, services 59.9%, agriculture 0.8% (2012). Industries: electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments. Natural resources: hydroelectric potential, arable land.

Exports: $3.801 billion (2010): small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products. Imports: $2.09 billion (2012): agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles. Major trading partners: EU (Germany, Austria, France, Italy, UK), U.S., Switzerland (2004). Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 20,000 (2012); mobile cellular: 38,000 (2012). Broadcast media: relies on foreign terrestrial and satellite broadcasters for most broadcast media services; first Liechtenstein-based TV station established August 2008; Radio Liechtenstein operates multiple radio stations; a Swiss-based broadcaster operates several radio stations in Liechtenstein (2008). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 14,278 (2012). Internet users: 23,000 (2009).

Transportation: Railways: total: 9 km; note: owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways (2008). Roadways: total: 380 km (2012); paved: 380 km. Ports and harbors: none. Airports: none. International disputes: none. Major sources and definitions Geography Tiny Liechtenstein, not quite as large as Washington, DC, lies on the east bank of the Rhine River, south of Lake Constance, between Austria and Switzerland. It consists of low valley land and alpine peaks. Falknis (8,401 ft; 2,561 m) and Naafkopf (8,432 ft; 2,570 m) are the tallest. Government Hereditary constitutional monarchy. History The Liechtensteiners are descended from the Alemanni tribe that came into the region after A.D. 500. Founded in 1719, Liechtenstein was a member of the German Confederation from 1815 to 1866, when it became an independent principality.

It abolished its army in 1868 and has managed to stay neutral and undamaged in all European wars since then. Liechtenstein still claims 1,600 sq km of Czech territory (the royal family's ancestral home) confiscated in 1918; the Czech Republic insists that restitution does not go back before Feb. 1948, when the Communists seized power. In a referendum on July 1, 1984, male voters granted women the right to vote in national (but not local) elections. Blacklisted in 2000 as a center for money laundering, Liechtenstein toughened its laws and made major efforts to clean up its financial practices. In 2002, the country was removed from the OECD's (Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development) blacklist. In March 2003, their people overwhelmingly voted to give its prince more power, including the right to dismiss governments and approve judicial nominees. Prince Hans Adam II had threatened to leave the country if his demands for more authority were not met, though he already possessed more power than any other European monarch. In Aug.

2003 the prince announced that he would give up the day-to-day ruling of the country in one year's time. In Aug. 2004, his son, Prince Alois, 36, became regent of Liechtenstein, while Hans Adam II remained the official head of state. Klaus Tschuetscher won the absolute majority in parliamentary elections in Jan. 2009. He was sworn in as prime minister in March 2009. On February 3, 2013, the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP) won parliamentary elections with 40% of the vote. Adrian Hasler, FBP's candidate for prime minister, would be sworn in March 2013. See also Encyclopedia: Liechtenstein . Politics of Liechtenstein Politics of Liechtenstein 883 Liechtenstein is a principality governed under a constitutional monarchy. It has a form of mixed constitution in which political power is shared by the monarch and a democratically elected parliament. There is a multi-party system and a form of representative democracy in which the prime minister and head of government is responsible to parliament.

However the Prince of Liechenstein is head of state and exercises considerable political powers. Tell your friends Tweet The executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Diet. The party system is dominated by the conservative Progressive Citizens' Party and the conservative Fatherland Union. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. On 15 August 2002, in his National Day Address, Prince Hans-Adam II announced that after months of intensive negotiations, a compromise in the debate on constitutional reform had been reached. On 13 September, Prime Minister Otmar Hasler confirmed to Parliament that his government was drafting a bill for Parliament based on the compromise reached between the Prince and the Citizens' Forum. The draft bill, which would increase the executive powers of the monarch, went before Parliament for a first reading in November. Once approved by Parliament, the bill was then presented to voters in a referendum,[1] and approved by 64% of those voting in 16 March 2003. Executive branch The monarch is hereditary. Following legislative elections, the head of government is appointed by the prince and proposed and voted on by the parliament.

Thus the government is usually composed of the members of the majority party. It is, however, also customary that the leader of the largest minority party in the Diet is appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch. According to the constitution of Liechtenstein, the government is a collegiate body and consists of the head of government and four governmental councilors. Amendment to the constitution or new law have to be adopted by Parliament, signed by both the Prince and the head of government, and published in the Principality's Law Gazette. Prince Hans Adam II is the current head of state. His constitutional powers include the power to veto any legislation, to be used at his discretion, as well as the dissolution of the parliament (this may be subject to a referendum). He represents the state vis-à-vis foreign states. He signs international treaties either in person or delegates this function to a plenipotentiary. Some treaties under international law only become valid when they have been ratified by Parliament. On the basis of the names put forward by Parliament, the Prince nominates the government, district and high court judges, the judges of the Supreme Court, and the presidents and their deputies of the Constitutional Court and of the Administrative Court of Appeal.

The Prince's other authorities include exercising the right to mitigate and commute punishments that have been imposed with legal force and the abolition пїЅ i.e., the dismissal пїЅ of investigations that have been initiated. All judgments are issued in the name of the Prince. The Government of Liechtenstein is based on the principle of collegiality; namely, of colleagues collaborating with each other. The government consists of the head of government and four Councilors. The members of the government are proposed by the Parliament and are appointed by the Prince. Only men or women born in Liechtenstein, and who are eligible to be elected to Parliament, may be elected to the government committee. The two electoral areas of the country, the highlands and the lowlands, are entitled to at least two members of the government, and their respective deputies must come from the same area. Legislative branch The Prince's involvement in legislation consists in a right to take initiatives in the form of government bills and in the right to veto parliamentary proposals. The Prince has the power to enact princely decrees. Emergency princely decrees are possible when the security and welfare of the country is at stake. A countersignature by the head of government is, nevertheless, required.

The Prince has the right to convene and adjourn parliament and, for serious reasons, to adjourn it for 3 months or to dissolve it. The Diet (Landtag) has 25 members, elected for a four year term by proportional representation in two multi-seat constituencies. Until 1989, 15 members represented the population of the two constituencies (six for the lowland area and nine for the highland area). Since 1989 the lowland constituency has been entitled to have 10 members and the highland area 15. The Parliament's main task is to discuss and adopt resolutions on constitutional proposals and draft government bills. It has the additional duties of giving its assent to important international treaties; of electing members of the government, judges, and board members of the Principality's institutions; setting the annual budget and approving taxes and other public charges; and supervising the administration of the state. The Parliament observes its rights and duties in the course of sessions of the whole Parliament and through the parliamentary commissions that it elects. All members of Parliament exercise their mandates in addition to their normal professions or occupations.

The president of Parliament and his deputy are both elected at the opening meeting for the current year. The president convenes the individual meetings during the session, leads them, and represents Parliament externally. During the parliamentary recess пїЅ normally from January to February/March пїЅ a "state committee" assumes Parliament's duties, and such a committee must also be elected in the case of any adjournment or dissolution of Parliament. A "state committee" consists of the president of Parliament and four other members.[5] The duties and working procedures of Parliament are laid down in the constitution and in Parliament's standing orders. Moreover the people of Liechtenstein have very strong direct democratic rights. At least 1000 citizens can initiate a referendum on any law. Referendums can suspend parliament or change the constitution, but at least 1500 citizens must vote affirmative, so referendums to suspend parliament or change the constitution fail if they have low turnout even if the required percentage of total voters is met. Political parties and elections The political parties are in practice politically decisive and are the moving forces with regard to the composition of the government. For the 2001-05 legislature period of office one Councilor and three deputies are women.

From 1938 to 1997 Liechtenstein had a coalition government. Until a few years ago there were only two parties in Parliament, the Fatherland Union and the Progressive Citizens' Party. Liechtenstein's distinctive form of coalition government came to an end in April 1997. The Fatherland Union took sole responsibility for the government during the 1997 to 2001 Parliament, with its members filling all the positions on the government committee. Since 2001 it has been the Progressive Citizen's Party that has provided all the members of the government. The minority parties, as opposition parties, act as a check on the government in Parliament and on parliamentary commissions. ... Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with the latest news and deals! Subscribe BBC News - Liechtenstein country profile Printable version Liechtenstein country profile The Principality of Liechtenstein is a tiny, landlocked country tucked away between Switzerland and Austria and with mountain slopes rising above the Rhine valley.

It owes much of its wealth to its traditional status as a low tax haven, though the country has in recent years taken steps to shake off its image as a tax haven and to reposition itself as a legitimate financial centre. Overview This status came under the spotlight in 2000 when two international reports criticised Liechtenstein for lax financial controls. The reports said that the Liechtenstein banking system enabled gangs from Russia, Italy and Colombia to launder money from their criminal activities. Alpine slopes cover two-thirds of the territory The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) began to take a close interest in Liechtenstein's financial regulations - a process that received a further impetus when the international recession took hold in 2008. Governments affected by plummeting tax incomes became determined to flush out assets hidden in tax havens, and Liechtenstein came under considerable pressure to apply greater banking transparency. Stung by the criticism, Liechtenstein gradually reformed some of its laws. It reached tax agreements with several countries - including Germany, the UK and the US - aimed at encouraging citizens of those countries to come clean about any assets they might have in Liechtenstein's banks. Liechtenstein remained neutral in World War II.

A report commissioned by the government in 2001 after allegations that the country's banks had had dealings with the Nazis found that the banks' actions had been above board. It also found that slave labour from Nazi concentration camps had been used on Crown estates in Austria, but described the principality as a bystander rather than a perpetrator. The country has come through a lengthy political wrangle over the role and power of the hereditary monarchy. After a campaign which was at times bitterly divisive the people voted in March 2003 in a constitutional referendum to give Prince Hans-Adam sweeping new political powers. The outcome was decisive with just over 64% in favour of the changes. In effect, the referendum made Liechtenstein Europe's only absolute monarchy. It gave Prince Hans-Adam the power to hire and fire the government, despite publicly-expressed fears that the development could usher in dictatorship. The Roman Catholic church has traditionally had a strong role in Liechtenstein. Women faced a year in jail for having abortions until new legislation legalised it in late 2005. A bid by pro-life activists to stop the legislation from being passed failed when voters strongly rejected their proposals in a referendum.

Facts Full name: Principality of Liechtenstein Population: 35,000 (UN, 2009) Area: 160 sq km (61.8 sq miles) Major language: German Life expectancy: 75 years (men), 82 years (women) Monetary unit: 1 Swiss franc = 100 centimes Main exports: Machinery, dental products, foodstuffs, stamps GNI per capita: $137,070 (World Bank, 2009) Internet domain: .li Media Head of state: Prince Hans-Adam II Prince Hans-Adam, a successful banker, became head of state following the death of his father, Prince Franz Josef, in 1989. In August 2004 he handed over the day-to-day running of the principality to his son, Crown Prince Alois, while remaining titular head of state. Prince Hans-Adam II: Royals can veto laws, dismiss governments In 2003 the royals won sweeping new powers in a constitutional referendum which gave them the power to veto parliamentary decisions and to sack the government.

The family also won powers over the appointment of judges, powers which Prince Hans-Adam said were essential to ensure that the judiciary was independent enough to tackle tasks such as chasing illegal assets effectively. Prince Hans-Adam pointed out that the changes to the constitution took away his right to rule by emergency decree for an unlimited period and to nominate government officials. Prince Hans-Adam, 58 at the time of the referendum, had threatened to leave Liechtenstein for Austria if he lost. In 2009, the royal family won respect in international financial circles for backing moves to improve the transparency of the banking system. Prince Alois, who was 36 when he took over the running of his country, trained at Britain's Sandhurst military academy. He is the eldest of Prince Hans-Adam's four children. Prime minister: Klaus Tschuetscher Klaus Tschuetscher took over as prime minister in March 2009 after his conservative Patriotic Union (PU) won an absolute majority in parliament, allowing the party to form a government on this own. The previous government, led by Otmar Hasler of the Progressive Citizens Party (PCP), was a coalition of the PCP and PU.

Mr Tschuetscher vowed to rid the principality of its image as an "uncooperative tax haven", promising to work with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in combating tax fraud. Media Princely House, head of state, prince, prince Hans-Adam – Fürstentum Liechtenstein english Princely House (head of state) The Princes of Liechtenstein originally hailed from Lower Austria. In 1699 and 1712 they purchased the County of Vaduz and the Dominion of Schellenberg. These two areas were then merged via Imperial Diploma on 23 January 1719 to create the Principality of Liechtenstein. Prince Franz Josef II (1906-1989) became the first Prince to have his official place of residence in Liechtenstein when he moved to Vaduz in 1938. The Princely House of Liechtenstein is among the world's oldest noble families. The first recorded mention of the name "Liechtenstein" dates back to 1136 and Hugo von Liechtenstein, who adopted the it from Liechtenstein Castle to the south of Vienna.

It was around this castle and near the north-eastern border of Lower Austria that the family owned several areas of land. The unbroken family line begins with Heinrich I von Liechtenstein (died 1265/66), who obtained lordship over Nikolsburg in South Moravia as free property. This was of significant political importance as it gave the Liechtenstein family substantial land ownership within the territory of the Wenzel Crown. Early history The true importance of this land was then shown in 1394 when Johann I von Liechtenstein, who for 30 years had been in charge of government affairs at the court of the Habsburg Duke Albrecht III, became a victim of the Habsburgs' thirst for power and fell out of favour. He and his family were forced to hand over parts of the land belonging to them, especialy those south of the Danube. In the decades that followed the family attempted to secure its power in Lower Austria by purchasing further areas of land, particularly in South Moravia. In the 13th century the family divided into three lines: Liechtenstein, Rohrauer and Petroneller.

However, the Rohrauer and Petroneller lines died out just one generation later, meaning that much of the family's valuable property was lost. In the early 16th century the family divided once again: the 1504 family treaty resulted in the Steyregger, Feldsberger and Nikolsburger lines. Only the Feldsberger line survived. However, this time well-thought-out family laws meant that the property belonging to the Steyregger and Nikolsburger lines passed to the surviving Feldsberger line. The Princes in the 16th and 17th century At the turn of the 16th to the 17th century the three brothers Karl, Maximilian and Gundaker initiated a new period in the history of the family. They converted to Catholicism. Karl received the Great Count Palatinate in 1606 and the rank of Hereditary Prince in 1608. His brothers were raised to the status of hereditary princes in 1623. Together, Karl, Maximilian and Gundaker succeeded in significantly increasing the family's land and property.

In 1606 they concluded a new family contract stipulating, among other things, that the first-born son would receive all hereditary titles and represent the family as regent. The provisions of this contract form the basis of the 1993 House Law that determines succession to the throne in Liechtenstein. During the critical period at the start of the 17th century, the Liechtenstein House sided with the Habsburgs. Karl and Maximilian's intervention contributed to achieving the decisive victory over the Bohemian rebels in 1620. Purchase of Schellenberg and Vaduz From the time of the attainment of the title Imperial Prince, the Liechtenstein family strove to acquire land with imperial immediacy. However, it was almost a century before Karl's grandson, Prince Johann Adam I (1657-1712), purchased the territories of Schellenberg and Vaduz in 1699 and 1712. With a diploma dated 23 January 1719, these were raised to the rank of Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein.

After the male line of Prince Karl I became extinct in 1712, Anton Florian, a decendant of Gundaker, became the Ruling Prince. Whereas in the 18th century the country was of rather peripheral interest  at that time the family was still residing in Feldsberg (today the Czech Republic) and Vienna  it occupied an increasingly central position following its attainhment of sovereignty in 1806 and in the 20th century it became the residence of the Ruling Princes. Prince Franz Josef II (1906-1989) moved his permanent residence to Vaduz in 1938. All of the members of the family living at the present time descend from Prince Johannes I (1760-1836). The Princely House today The current head of state, Prince Hans-Adam II, is the 15th Prince of the House of Liechtenstein. He was born in 1945 and is the first Reigning Prince to have grown up in the Principality.

Shortly after becoming Prince, he announced his intention to follow the example of his father Prince Franz Josef II (19061989) and entrust his sovereign powers as head of state to the Hereditary Prince. This was carried out on National Day in 2004. In order to prepare him for his future position as Prince, Hans-Adam II named His Serene Highness Hereditary Prince Alois as his Representative and passed all sovereign powers to him. Today, Hans-Adam II is still the Prince, but it is his son Hereditary Prince Alois who is reponsible for performing the tasks of head of state. One Princely House  three generations On 13 November 2014 Liechtenstein celebrated the 25th anniversary of Prince Hans Adam II taking the throne. To mark the 25th anniversary of H.S.H. Prince Hans Adam II succeeding to the throne and the 10th anniversary of H.S.H. Hereditary Prince Alois being installed as his representative, an interview was carried out with the three generations of the Princely Family  Reigning Prince Hans Adam, Hereditary Prince Alois and 19-year-old Prince Wenzel.

Read the interview The 15 Richest Heads of State | Celebrity Net Worth The 15 Richest Heads of State By Brian Warner on October 18, 2012 on Dec 31, 2016 First you get the money, then you get the power. And the people on this list of the richest heads of state in the world have enough power and money to last 10 lifetimes. Our list includes presidents, kings, queens, prime ministers, oil rich Sheikhs and more. Many of them were born into long bloodlines of wealth and power but a handful were able to attain their positions from scratch. You will probably recognize many of the millionaires and billionaires on our list but we promise you will be shocked at who came in on top. In total, they control nearly $145 billion and countless lavish palaces, cars and planes, armies… These people might just be the most luxurious and pampered humans in the world. If you could rule a country which would it be and what would be your first act as King/Queen?

Click the image below to launch our gallery of the 15 Richest Heads of State: #14 - Queen Elizabeth II - Net Worth $450 Million #13 - Sultan of Oman - $700 Million #12 - Prince Albert II of Monaco - $1 Billion #11 - President of Pakistan - $1.8 Billion #10 - Saad Hariri Prime Minister of Lebanon - $2 Billion #9 - Sebastian Pinera President of Chile - $2.4 Billion #8 - King Mohammed VI of Morocco - $2.5 Billion #7 - Emir of Qatar - $2.5 Billion #6 - Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein - $4 Billion #5 - Prime Minister of Dubai - $4 Billion #4 - President of the United Arab Emirates - $15 Billion #3 - King of Saudi Arabia - $18 Billion #2 - Sultan of Brunei - $20 Billion #1 - King of Thailand - $30 Billion Rumor: Vladimir Putin - Net Worth $70 Billion Bonus: Barack Obama - Net Worth $10 Million Bonus: David Cameron - Net Worth $50 Million Bonus: Muammar Gaddafi - Net Worth $200 Billion

 Bonus: Hosni Mubarak - Net Worth $70 Billion Bonus: Silvio Berlusconi - Net Worth $8 Billion Bonus: Saddam Hussein - Net Worth $2 Billion Bonus: George W.

Bush - Net Worth $26 Million Bonus: Bill Clinton - Net Worth $80 Million 15 Richest Heads of State: #14 – Queen Elizabeth II – Net Worth $450 Million #13 – Sultan of Oman – $700 Million #12 – Prince Albert II of Monaco – $1 Billion #11 – President of Pakistan – $1.8 Billion #10 – Saad Hariri Prime Minister of Lebanon – $2 Billion #9 – Sebastian Pinera President of Chile – $2.4 Billion #8 – King Mohammed VI of Morocco – $2.5 Billion #7 – Emir of Qatar – $2.5 Billion #6 – Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein – $4 Billion #5 – Prime Minister of Dubai – $4 Billion #4 – President of the United Arab Emirates – $15 Billion #3 – King of Saudi Arabia – $18 Billion #2 – Sultan of Brunei – $20 Billion #1 – King of Thailand – $30 Billion Rumor: Vladimir Putin – Net Worth $70 Billion Related "Richest" articles: Barack Obama – Net Worth $12 Million David Cameron – Net Worth $50 Million Muam

mar Gaddafi – Net Worth $200 Billion Hosni Mubarak – Net Worth $70 Billion Silvio Berlusconi – Net Worth $8 Billion Saddam Hussein – Net Worth $2 Billion George W.

Bush – Net Worth $26 Million George H.W. Bush – Net Worth $15 Million Bill Clinton – Net Worth $80 Million Is Liechtenstein a Libertarian Utopia? - Reason.com Reason.com More Is Liechtenstein a Libertarian Utopia? Prince Hans-Adam II says open borders, low taxes, free trade, and small government should define "the state in the third millennium." PRINT WikimediaLiechtenstein isn't just one of the world's smallest countries, it's one of the most prosperous. Despite having only 37,000 citizens and covering just 61 square miles in central Europe, the microstate has a per capita income of about $100,000, a corporate flat tax of 12.5 percent, and an income tax of 1.2 percent. Now well-known as a banking and financial hub, the principality wasn't always so flush. In fact, in 1967 the royal family had to sell a prized possession—Leonardo da Vinci's first known portrait —just to keep the country afloat.

Reason's Nick Gillespie talked with the country's leader, Prince Hans-Adams II, at the International Students for Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C. about how Liechtenstein turned itself around while becoming world famous for its banking privacy and openness to immigrants. And he talked with Hans-Adams' about his new book, The State in the Third Millennium , which outlines the reforms he brought to Liechtenstein and argues that modern government should treat citizens as customers who have the option to live elsewhere. About 8 minutes. Produced by Joshua Swain. Scroll below for downloadable versions and subscribe to Reason's YouTube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos go live. Follow Reason on Twitter . Audio-only version (MP3 file) Nick Gillespie is the editor in chief of Reason.com and Reason TV and the co-author, with Matt Welch, of The Declaration of Independents: How Libertarian Politics Can Fix What's Wrong With America ( 2011/2012 ). He is also a columnist for The Daily Beast . Follow Nick Gillespie on Twitter Find Nick Gillespie on Google+ Joshua Swain is a producer at Reason TV.

VIEW COMMENTS (61) | LEAVE A COMMENT Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time. Report abuses . JFree| Well this certainly seems to be an interesting model for - Binghamton reply to this log in or register to reply B.P.| Binghamton, NY is the most failed place on earth. reply to this log in or register to reply | 3.21.16 @ 11:36AM | # Yeah, but their Boscov's is amazing. That particular location is the Department Store That Time Forgot. reply to this log in or register to reply Flaco| Will Boscov's Open In August?

reply to this log in or register to reply JFree| 3.21.16 @ 11:54AM | # But just think how much banking secrecy, low taxes, openness to 60 immigrants a year, and treating the citizens of Binghamton as if they can actually just up-and-move to, say, Elmira would change things there reply to this log in or register to reply Chipper Morning Wood| Step two: start supplying false teeth to the rest of the world. reply to this | # I'm thinking of opening the nation of Animalia along similar (but more gun-friendly) lines. At present the nation of Animalia will consist only of my house, but what the hell - it's a start. reply to this log in or register to reply B. Woodrow Chippenhaus| 3.21.16 @ 10:30AM | # What is Animalia's stance on interventionism? Will they be sending Peacekeepers to the European border nations here in the next few months? reply to this No, both our guys are busy.

reply to this log in or register to reply Procrastinatus| log in or register to reply | 3.21.16 @ 10:05AM | # I am not an open borders fan so I don't fault Liechtenstein for having tight controls, but they do in fact have extremely tight immigration controls, granting something like 60 residence permits a year. reply to this 3.21.16 @ 8:25PM | # When it takes an income of around $200k to live in your country, you can afford open borders. That's a wall not many Mexican migrants are gonna be scaling anytime soon. reply to this log in or register to reply Harun| log in or register to reply Sir Chips Alot| what happened to our favorite place: Somalia? reply to this log in or register to reply Sir Chips Alot| what happened to our favorite place: Somalia? reply to this Squirrels, man. The squirrels live there now. reply to this 3.21.16 @ 10:29AM | # As a young student, I often found myself wondering why the Hellenistic city-state method of governance failed.

My conclusions were always, "massively unified army nations." In the coming age, it is going to be almost impossible to move large quantities of people without someone finding out and posting it to the web. My thought is this; why not organize into smaller units of governance? Easier to vote, easier to hold decision makers accountable, more measureable impact upon constituency, more interpersonal relationships, more civic pride. It would appear that the more homogenous a society (around a factor such as race, region, religion) the more prosperous. reply to this log in or register to reply Rhywun| 3.21.16 @ 11:39AM | # It would appear that the more homogenous a society (around a factor such as race, region, religion) the more prosperous. Well, the US is rather prosperous and could not be much less homogenous than it is. reply to this 3.21.16 @ 3:10PM | # Yes! Why all this fawning over the Liechtenstein libertopia when we should be fawning over the Danish welfartopia?!?! Socialism-lite works for highly homogeneous and tiny Denmark so there's no reason it can't work here!

reply to this log in or register to reply buybuydandavis| 3.21.16 @ 12:48PM | # Open borders? The milion Syrian refugees in Germany are all welcome to come on over and settle down? Yeah, I didn't think so. reply to this log in or register to reply Eternal Blue Sky| 3.23.16 @ 11:00AM | # Sure, but they don't hand out as much free shit as the Germans, so who would want to refuge there?? Less free shit leads to less problems with immigration (which makes it bizarre that in America the pro-immigration Tribe is the pro free shit Tribe, and the anti-immigration Tribe is the anti free shit Tribe...) "Open borders" is a stretch from what the article implies to reality. Lichtenstein is fine with anyone coming into their country, for at most three months. After that, if you don't have a rather difficult to procure work permit you're no longer welcome.

reply to this 3.21.16 @ 3:07PM | # It's a nation that doesn't need an army, because it's surrounded by non-libertarian states that have armies, and small enough not to be noticed by any threats, as well as being in the almost exact geographic middle of the mega-bureaucratic European Union. It can afford to be libertarian in a way a lot of nations cannot. This isn't to denigrate Liechtenstein, just pointing out that it's easy to be a libertarian when you can hand off most of your costs to your non-libertarian neighbors. reply to this log in or register to reply MarkLastname| 3.22.16 @ 1:10AM | # Well, in all fairness, the costs you mention are the threat posed by those selfsame non-libertarian neighbors.

reply to this log in or register to reply Bellbiv| 3.21.16 @ 3:29PM | # A bit misleading, the Income tax is augmented by multiple other income taxes added to the 1.2%, meaning that the maximum income tax is 29% (18% when the income tax plus commune income taxes are added.) And yes, for a country of 37,000, smaller than 1,000 cities in the United States, with no military, it's easy to be a bit flush with money. But end of the day it is still a Constitutional Monarchy, with the Monarchy having a huge amount of power and control. reply to this log in or register to reply EscherEnigma| 3.21.16 @ 3:45PM | # This makes me think of how Washington D.C. regularly tops lists† when it's being compared to other states. The lesson? City-states, by virtue of their size and population density, operate very differently then states. ________ †The focus of any specific list rarely matters.

reply to this log in or register to reply | | # hmmm yes a country with 37000 has open borders with 100k/capita. ok reason. "The immigration laws in Liechtenstein are on a par with their neighbour Switzerland. The laws are very stringent and non EU nationals may only be considered for work permits with particular specialised, sought after skills, it is otherwise difficult to obtain a work permit. All foreign nationals outside of the EU must have a passport and may require a visa. EU members must either have a passport or a valid EU ID card. People can stay in Liechtenstein for up to three months without a residence permit." reply to this log in or register to reply shermanator| 3.22.16 @ 9:23PM | # I read that too. Kind of begs the question of being "libertarian." You may shop there, but that is where it ends. Don't think of moving there. Ever. If it were libertarian, I am certain more than 37,000 would have found their way there over the centuries. Stupid article. Especially when you consider Gillespies constant harping about US immigration policy.

They are importing rich Germans and Austrians, not poor, uneducated laborers. reply to this log in or register to reply AD-RtR/OS!| The World's Richest Royals The World's Richest Royals comments, called-out The tiny emirate of Dubai spent more than $60 billion building the so-called “Eighth Wonder of the World,” a group of man-made, palm-shaped islands in the Persian Gulf, which attracted A-list buyers from the Jolie-Pitts to the Beckhams. Now debt from the faltering venture and other soured investments have put Dubai in the hole for $80 billion. Real estate values at the Palm Islands are down over 50%, and construction has stopped on further extensions. Even more embarrassing, Dubai had to approach fellow emirate Abu Dhabi with hat in hand to ask for a temporary bailout; in February, Abu Dhabi bought $10 billion in five-year bonds. As a result, Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s net worth is down an estimated $6 billion in the past year, making him the biggest loser on Forbes’ annual list of the world’s 15 richest royals.

His savior, Abu Dhabi’s ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, didn’t fare much better. His fortune is down $5 billion thanks to plummeting oil prices, enough for him to slip from second to third among the world’s richest royals. In Pictures: World’s Richest Royals Though royals largely inherit their riches along with their titles, these monied monarchs are not immune to the global downturn, and they’ve suffered the effects of the global depression along with their subjects. The credit crunch, real estate collapse and stock market declines have wreaked havoc on many of these historic fortunes. Collectively, the richest royals lost $22 billion over the past year, down 17% to $109 billion. Twelve of the 15 are poorer than a year ago; two are worth the same. Only one ruler bucked the trend: Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, whose near monopoly on current hot commodity phosphate enabled him to make money in a down year (see: “King Of Rock” ). He is now $1 billion richer, allowing him to move up a notch to No. 7 with a net worth of $2.5 billion. No.

1 on our list, for the second year in a row, is Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej. He is worth $30 billion, $5 billion less than last year, as a result of double-digit declines in real estate and stocks owned via the Crown Property Bureau, the state investment vehicle of which he is a trustee. Rising political tensions have also destabilized the country, dampening even the important tourism sector. Scandals marred the fortunes of a few rulers. Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein, No. 6 on our list with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion, is down $1.5 billion since last year, in part because of the diminished value of his LGT bank. Last year, the bank fought a tax-evasion scandal for allegedly helping wealthy clients shelter their money; now the bank’s chief executive, the prince’s son, is being investigated by the German government for similarly cheating on taxes–he denies the charges. The United Arab Emirates’ Sheikh Khalifa kicked his half-brother off his cabinet after the sibling was allegedly involved in the torture of an Afghan expatriate.

The Netherlands’ Queen Beatrix and her sons reportedly invested and lost up to $100 million with Ponzi schemer Bernard Madoff, though the palace denies the rumors. Queen Elizabeth II’s son and heir, Prince Charles, was reportedly also approached by Madoff representatives, but apparently–and fortunately for him–declined to invest. Though Prince Albert II of Monaco’s ex-brother-in-law, Philipe Junot, shilled for Madoff, Prince Albert himself has not been linked to any Ponzi investments. His net worth is down $400 million to $1 billion, placing him at No. 9 on our list, because of a real estate slowdown in Monaco (though it still remains one of the hot spots in Europe) as well as falling art prices. The bachelor prince, who has acknowledged fathering two illegitimate children, is reportedly dating Charlene Wittstock, a South African Olympic swimmer. Even in tough economic times, the royal show must go on. In June, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah put together a lavish reception for U.S. President Barack Obama, presenting him with a gold medallion, Saudi Arabia’s highest honor.

The pomp overshadowed the country’s slumping economy, which has trimmed royal net worth by $4 billion this year. In April, Queen Elizabeth II made news when U.S. first lady Michelle Obama hugged the queen on the president’s first official visit to Britain. Royal wealth derives from inheritances or positions of power. It is often shared with extended families, and many times it represents money controlled by royal families in trust for their nations or territories. For these reasons, none of the 15 royals on this list would qualify for our annual ranking of the world’s billionaires, regardless of their net worths. For instance, Swaziland’s King Mswati III is the beneficiary of two funds created by his father in trust for the Swazi nation. During his reign, he has absolute discretion over use of the income, which has allowed him to build palaces for each of his 13 wives and stay at five-star hotels when abroad. Similarly, we include the assets of Thailand’s Crown Property Bureau in King Bhumibol’s net worth, as he is a trustee.

However, the Thai government disagrees and has publicly stated that the CPB’s assets are not part of the king’s personal wealth; rather, the CPB owns and manages the assets of the monarchy on behalf of the Thai people. In contrast, Buckingham Palace and the British crown jewels are considered to belong to the British nation, not Queen Elizabeth, and as such are not counted in her net worth. Instead, her wealth is derived from property in England and Scotland, fine art, gems and a stamp collection amassed by her grandfather. This is the fourth time we have published a definitive list of the richest royals. Monarchs of countries such as Spain and Japan failed to make the cut for the top 15. Additional reporting by Devon Pendleton and Cristina von Zeppelin. stumbleupon 9. Mohammed VI, King of Morocco – $2.5 billion Mohammed VI became the King of Morocco in 1999 after the death of his father. He drew a lot of attention after promising to tackle the triple issues of poverty, corruption and human rights violations. These have yet to be solved, however, as evidenced by widespread protests in 2011. Corruption issues have also led to the King himself.

He holds significant amount of shares in Omnium Nord Africain, or the ONA Group, that owns diverse investments in retail, financial services, mining and other sectors. 8. Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar – $2.5 billion The ruler of Qatar comes from the Al Thani dynasty that began its reign in 1850 when Muhammad bin Thani ruled the country. The family comes from one of the largest tribes in the Arabian Peninsula called the Banu Tamim. The current Emir came to power in 1995 after deposing his father. He was one of the primary backers of the Al Jazeera news network, even providing a $137 million loan to help the company in its first years of operation. The Emir is also known as a huge football fan, having made bids to take over clubs like Manchester United and Rangers FC. 7. Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechstenstein – $4 billion His full name can be a mouthful: Johannes Hans Adam Ferdinand Alois Josef Maria Marko d’ Aviano Pius von und zu Liechtenstein. He owns the LGT banking group. His family also owns an extensive collection of art pieces.

These are displayed for public viewing at the Liechtenstein Museum in Vienna. He is considered as the wealthiest monarch in all of Europe. He holds broad powers as head of state, including the ability to introduce legislation and the power to veto laws passed by the parliament. 6. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai – $4 billion As the ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is also automatically the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates. He came to power in 2006, succeeding his older brother Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He owns 99.67 percent of Dubai Holding. He is also responsible for the construction of landmarks like the Palm Islands, Burj Al Arab and the Burj Al Khalifa. His family’s total wealth is estimated to be around $44 billion. 5. Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of United Arab Emirates – $15 billion As the Emir of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is also the President of the United Arab Emirates. He took over as President in 2004 after the death of his father.

He is the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. His family has an estimated wealth of more than $150 billion. He is known for his philanthropic work, making donations to orphanages in Turkmenistan, hospitals in the US and schools in Wales. 4. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia – $18 billion Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is the third richest monarch in the world. He became King of Saudi Arabia in 2005 after the death of his half brother King Fahd. As the Saudi King, he is also the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Under his regime, the country has slowly been undertaking reforms, including allowing more rights to women. He is known for his immediate response to international disasters, like the 2008 earthquake in China and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. 3. Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei – $20 billion Hassanal Bolkiah’s complete name is Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien.

He became the Sultan of Brunei after the abdication of his father in 1967. He has one of the largest car collections in the world, with some companies making new cars exclusively for him. He even has a Rolls Royce coated with 24K gold. 2. Bhumibol Adulyadej, King of Thailand – $30 billion Bhumibol Adulyadej is the beloved King of Thailand. He is the longest currently serving head of state and the longest reigning monarch in the history of his country. He has been the country’s King since 1946. He has made generous contributions to various sectors of Thai society. He is considered to be the richest royal in the world. Embassy of Liechtenstein - Government Government The Constitution The Principality of Liechtenstein is a constitutional hereditary monarchy on a democratic and parliamentary basis, meaning there is a balance of power between the people and the Prince. Parliament is the legal body representing the entire people and, as such, has the duty of safeguarding and vindicating the rights and interests of the people.

According to the Constitution, the people exercise their rights through elections and popular votes, and hold in their power the right of initiative and referendum both on the legislative and constitutional level. In this way, every law passed by the Parliament (Landtag) may be put to a vote of the people unless the Parliament decides the issue is urgent. Voters are also required to participate in elections and popular votes. The Prince On August 15, 2004, Prince Hans-Adam II of Liechtenstein entrusted his son, Hereditary Prince Alois (above) as his representative with the exercise of the princely rights both nationally and internationally. The Prince represents Liechtenstein internationally and is highly involved in national politics. Since Liechtenstein has a constitutional monarchy, the Prince's authority is limited because he must rule in accordance with the constitution. However, he is also authorized to enact Princely Orders, which include emergency decrees and suspensions of the Parliament, as long as he obtains the countersignature of the Prime Minister. Upon the Parliament's recommendation, the Prince appoints the Government Ministers, presidents and vice-presidents of the Constitutional Court and the Administrative court, the judges of the Courts of Justice, Appeals, and the Supreme Court.

He also has the right to pardon, reduce/commute sentences and to grant amnesty. Landtag (Parliament) Members of the Liechtenstein Parliament The Landtag is made up of 25 members and is elected by the People according to proportional representation. The Landtag, as well as the people and the Reigning Prince, has the right to propose laws. Members of the Landtag serve part-time, parallel to their private professional careers and receive an income for their position. The Landtag meets eight to ten times a year for a duration of one to three days and almost all meetings are open to the public. For a law to be passed, the law must successfully be accepted by the Landtag, the Prince, and the People. Without the Landtag's consent, no law can be enacted or amended. Due to Liechtenstein's dualist structure, the Prince must also sanction every law, and if he does not do so after 6 months, the law is considered refused. Every proposed law not deemed urgent by the Landtag can be put to the people through an optional referendum. Sessions of the Landtag are opened and closed by the Reigning Prince, at which time he ceremonially gives a speech from the throne.

Any treaties accepted by the Prince which affect Liechtenstein's sovereign rights, cause new burdens or encroach on the rights of citizens must be presented to the Landtag for acceptance or rejection. Government Ministers (Cabinet) Team of Cabinet Members (from left): Minister Marlies Amman-Marxer, Deputy Prime Minister Thomas Zweifelhofer, Prime Minister Adrian Hasler, Minister Aurelia Frick, and Minister Mauro Pedrazzini. The Cabinet consists of five ministers, one of whom is the Prime Minister. All five are nominated by the Landtag and appointed by the Prince. The Cabinet posts are limited to native Liechtensteiners. All ministers serve four-year terms. The Prime Minister is responsible for reporting to the Prince about Government business, countersigning princely orders and laws, and performing the duties assigned to him by the Prince. The other ministers hold fairly wide-ranging responsibilities, and must be present for a decision of the Cabinet to be made. For more information about the Cabinet Members, please click here . Judiciary The Judiciary branch is made up of two sets of Courts. For civil and criminal matters, the Court of Justice, the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court all have jurisdiction.

Cases begin in the Court of Justice, which are argued before a single judge, and then move to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court if appealed. The judges of these courts are all elected by the Landtag and appointed by the Reigning Prince. For the courts of public law there is the Administrative Court and the Constitutional Court. The Administrative Court deals with appeals to decisions made by the government administration. The Constitutional Court deals with matters involving constitutional rights, as well as the constitutionality of treaties and laws. These judges are also elected by the Landtag and appointed by the Reigning Prince.

Question: Prince Hans-Adam II is the head of state of which country?
Answer: Liechtenstein