When used in connection with Dreigliederung the translation of Rechtsstaat and Einheitsstaat clearly depends to some degree on the context and may require a different rendering from their normal usage. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that the term Einheitsstaat as such does not have the negative connotation contained in 'monolithic state of society'. It merely means a 'unitary state' (a system of government in which all governing authority is held by the central government in contrast, for instance, to a federation or confederation).

When the term is used in a derogatory sense, 'monolithic state' or a similar expression are clearly justified. But it may also occur simply in a neutral sense when political and social systems (such as the unitary state and threefold social development) are being compared. Similarly, Rechtsstaat generally refers to a 'state governed by the rule of law'. In this sense Einheitsstaat and Rechtsstaat are not contrasting or contradictory terms, but simply different forms of political system. Britain, for instance is a unitary state, whereas Germany is a federation. Both of them are states governed by the rule of law.

Christian von Arnim 5/1

Continued

See Also

Dreigliederung