Microstates of Europe - by P Christiaan Klieger (Paperback)

About the Book

The seven microstates of Europe are remarkable not only for their size, but their persistence as well. It is a sociopolitical phenomenon that has rarely been addressed, but this book shows how it may have clues for the larger understanding of the conflicting agencies of nation...

Book Synopsis

The seven microstates of Europe are remarkable not only for their size, but their persistence as well. It is a sociopolitical phenomenon that has rarely been addressed, but this book shows how it may have clues for the larger understanding of the conflicting agencies of nationalism and globalism currently seen around the world.

Review Quotes

The microstates of Europe are usually the stuff of travel guides. Klieger offers brief historical sketches of Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Vatican City, and Monaco. He includes two chapters on the sixth microstate, Malta. He also considers a number of wannabes with short histories. Klieger points out that the microstates have maintained their more or less independent status for centuries. The book is rather whimsical--Klieger includes a recipe for stewed rabbit with advice to send 'condolence letters to rabbits' families.' There are references and a bibliography. The book can be recommended for the general reader or traveler to the European microstates. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers only.

This book is an ingenious and unusual in-depth exploration of a phenomenon that has for too long been a relatively unanalyzed but distinctive aspect of European society. The author explores intriguing and revealing byways of history and reveals to us in micro much about how nation states are created and maintained in macro.


This remarkably readable, erudite and original book sheds light not only on the history and current rationale of European micro-states, but also, and more importantly, reveals important features of the contemporary world, including a timely analysis of the limits of globalism. It is an entertaining and enlightening book which should easily find its niche in one of the micro-markets of academic publishing.

About the Author

P. Christiaan Klieger is a leading expert on the principle of self-determination among the peoples of Tibet. He has also worked extensively with Native Hawaiians in historic preservation and with Native North Americans on self-determination and the application of Native voice in museums. He is the author of several books on the history of Tibet and the Hawaiian kingdom and dozens of articles.