Kleinstaaterei means "small states" in German. It is a form of government in which small states are ruled by a single ruler or group of rulers, often called princes or kings. Kleinstaaterei was the form of government used by many countries in Europe, especially Germany, in the Middle Ages. This type of government is different from a democracy, where citizens have the right to vote for a leader and make decisions about their country. With Kleinstaaterei, the ruler has all the power and the people must obey.