Hans,. .You are right to ask both questions, because most observers think only of the shape and placement of the stick, which is the least important issue. The control schemes behind the stick are the essence of modern flight controls, the sticks are merely electrical joysticks.
The advanced control laws in Comanche are a case in point. The aircraft has velocity and position stabilization, so the pilot does not juggle attitude to fly, he directly commands either ground speed/direction or position, and the computer controls make the aircraft do as he commands. There is automatic altitude hold, and automatic turn coordination down to speeds of 10 knots, so low speed maneuvers are done with the fingers of one hand, while the pilot can look at tactical information or set up weapons and sensors.
There is even a mode where the fire control computer takes over, and points the weapons while the pilot monitors the situation.
Future systems like this will rely on standard computer chips (remember when digital watches were $400? They now come in cereal boxes!) and will replace the heavier and more expensive control linkages and servos currently being used, at least on helicopters above perhaps 4000 pounds or so.
The electrical systems will make use of higher voltages to reduce weight. Since power is proportional to volts squared, smaller lighter electrical lines can do the work more easily. Comanche has a 270 volt DC primary electrical power system!