Diplomatic World 67

H.S.H. PRINCE MICHAEL
OF LIECHTENSTEIN
BETTER INFORMATION HELPS
TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS
HSH Prince Michael of Liechtenstein is active in many fields;
sources. That is not true. To get that, you need to tap experts.
in wealth management via “Industrie und Finanzkontor”; he
We try to get those who also express their opinion even if it is not
is founder of Geopolitical Intelligence Services a geopolitical
always wanted. We have the problem that newspapers reduce
think thank and the magazine “Der Pragmaticus” as well as a
the number of their correspondents to reduce cost. Also, intelli-
co-founder of a preventive health institution. Diplomatic World
gence services including the U.S. use fewer agents and control
CEO Barbara Dietrich and Dieter Brockmeyer, co-founder and
electronic devices instead. In the 1990s, we should believe to
director for Innovation at Diplomatic World Institute talked to him
get all the information by taping telephone lines. But Osama bin
about the state of the world and possible solutions to solve the
Laden did not use telephones or the internet.
planet’s current problems.
We now also started a publication in German, also based on
YOUR ACTIVITIES ARE IN DIVERSE AREAS.
HOW DO THEY ALL FIT TOGETHER?
the knowledge of experts targeting a wider public in all German
speaking areas. As the philosophy of GIS was visionary pragmatism
we adopted this for the German publication and called it
“Der Pragmaticus”. We launched it last September.
The activities I have are all related to the notion of long-term
perspective, pragmatism, and relevance. The financial company
Two years ago, I co-founded an institution in preventive health
“Industrie und Finanzkontor”, which is the basis of my activities,
in the sector of longevity. This is to be done by applying the
is active in wealth preservation. Wealth preservation is more than
latest scientific knowledge in science and medicine combined
just wealth management. It not only includes management but
with technology to delay or prevent age-related diseases such
also definitions of the objective of family’s wealth and long-term
as cancer, diabetes, dementia, etc. In asset protection, we see
preservation. We strongly advocate that entrepreneurial fami-
that as the main issue, asset preservation is more a responsibility
lies develop structures for long-term protection and growth of
than an entitlement. Similarly, we consider that health is a gift
business and wealth across generations. This is based on the
of very high value and is also a very important personal asset.
conviction that family businesses are the most important driving
Prevention in health, is therefore also a personal responsibility.
force for development and innovation and that private assets and
But besides this responsibility, good health is also fun. In this
property rights are essential for the cohesion of society.
context preservation and responsibility and long-term use of
these activities fit together.
We have a problem at the moment because property rights are
challenged even in our western democracies. Since wealth is
always challenged, one must fully grasp the long-term trends and
developments. Therefore, good and real information are necessary
as a basis for reasonable decisions. Out of this conviction
I founded Geopolitical Intelligence Services. Here we try to build
in a very neutral way based on expert’s scenarios future develop-
AMONG OTHER THINGS, YOU ARE THE FOUNDER
OF GEOPOLITICAL INTELLIGENCE SERVICES, GIS.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS OFFER FOR YOU
PERSONALLY?
H.S.H. Prince Michael of Liechtenstein
open-mindedness and respect for different opinions. Better information
helps to make better decisions, and this helps making a
is strongly following and certain NGOs are enforcing their opinion
on the public. Political correctness does not allow opinions in ar-
ments in economics, innovative technologies, politics, security,
All my activities are important to myself, and I identify myself
better world.
eas of climate, environment, gender that differ from the so called
and energy. Through our experts we have access to genuine
with them. The issue of getting the right information, information
“accepted view”. Cancel culture looks at past events from a
information which might not be available in open sources. It is
which is true, critically validated, and relevant. We don’t say we
Today we are living in a quite dogmatic time. The presumption of
present, moralizing point of view. Academics frequently see their
like a pyramid, an iceberg of information. There is only about
want to make a better world as many NGOs do, because this
knowledge – frequently based on ignorance – becomes domi-
roles to be to develop attitudes and ethics rather than to teach
25 percent above sea level, the rest is below.
is dangerous. Because then you follow an ideology claiming
nant and intolerance against other opinions increases. Politicians
knowledge. With Geopolitical Intelligence Services we really want
you know how to create a better world. We want to add value
frequently talk about choices without alternatives. This is a big
to give information. As said before, information from experts and
We believe we can find everything on the internet and in open
by providing better information. That requires a great deal of
mistake but helps to kill a contrary position. Media, unfortunately,
without trying to colour it by issues of subjective value.
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