The Self-Driving State

This book introduces the concept of a "self-driving state", a vision of governance in which traditional bureaucratic structures are replaced by highly automated, service-oriented administrative systems. This model emphasizes seamless efficiency and responsiveness, redefining the relationship between the state and its citizens through advanced digital technologies. Drawing on decades of advisory experience in the public sectors of Germany and Austria, the authors present a forward-looking framework for AI-driven administration. They trace the evolution from classical bureaucratic principles to autonomous decision-making and offer a systematic roadmap for implementing this transformation. This book addresses policymakers, professionals, and scholars of public governance and explores how innovations such as digital legislative twins, optimized administrative workflows, and enhanced citizen services can improve quality of life and strengthen economic competitiveness. Through numerous applied examples, the authors demonstrate how the self-driving state can transition from concept to reality, providing both theoretical foundations and practical guidance for progressive public administration.