Written in 1792, the work of Wilhelm von Humboldt is one of the most important contributions of German thought to the political philosophy of liberalism. In a memo drawn up at the request of the future ruler of the Mainz Elector, the author gave a detailed description of the structure of the state, limited in its activities only to the tasks of maintaining law and order, which Humboldt contrasts with the orders of Prussian "enlightened despotism" with his concern for the "positive good of citizens" under the motto "Everything for the people, nothing through the people." Published only after the death of the author, the book had a great influence not only on Germany, but also on thinkers such as J.S. Mill in England E. de Laboulay in France.