Fiction:Paingler Imperium/Government

((Under construction)) The governmental system of the Paingler Imperium is a system that has been in use since before the Imperium was offcially founded. It is a form of an absolute monarchy, where one individual, the emperor, has complete and total power over the government and the Imperium follows an imperialistic system, where a power seeks to conquer and expand territory, with little interest in diplomatic affairs. The Imperial government dictates life within it's region of space known as Imperial Space (or Imperial Territory).

Introduction
Welcome to the Imperial Codex! This entry will provide detailed data on: the governmental system of the Paingler Imperium.

The Emperor
The effective head of state is the Emperor. The emperor has complete power over the Imperium and the citizens. The emperor is the only one with the power to approve, reject or abolish laws and is the only one with the power to declare war. The emperor also personally considers any treaties concerning outside powers and the Imperium, whether peace treaties or trade aggreements.

Since before the Imperium, the emperor has always been a male (there have been no examples of an empress). The position if often hereditary, with the throne being passed down from father-to-son, should an emperor step down or die. There are a few examples of exceptions: the rule of an emperor may be challenged. Emperors are obliged to accept these challenges, a duel to the death. If the current emperor is defeated, the challenger may proclaim himself emperor and usurp the throne. In modern times, this practice has fallen into disuse, as the removal of an emperor, however brief, could cause chaos and, potentially, collapse.

The Emperor, quite literally, has control over Paingler government, society and military matters.

The Magistrate Council
One individual alone cannot keep up with the stress and affairs of an interstellar empire, let alone the affairs of contacts with outside powers. As such, the Emperor is overseen by an advisory council, called the Magistrate Council. The Council is made up of twelve individuals who serve as advisors to the emperor on different matters. These matters range from the prices of goods and raw materials, to the upkeep of the army and navy, to the diplomatic relations of other races and powers.

Outside of their advisory position, the Council has very little power. The Council can draft and propose laws, but it cannot pass or abolish laws without consent of the Emperor. The Council cannot directly influence diplomatic relations nor can it declare or end wars. Effectively, the Council is little more than an aid for the Emperor, although the Councilors are greatly respected by both the Emperor and the general populace.

Apart from their advisory role, the Councilors are often called upon to solve matters within the Imperium, often as judges between disputes or top-class diplomats.

Regional Authority
Despite the Emperor's power, the Emperor cannot possibly see to his entire empire alone. As such, regional authority is given to a type of governors called Seffs. The seffs enforce Imperial law and serve as governors in the regions of Imperial Space outside of the Core Sector and capital. Seffs report directly to the Magistrate Council and to the Emperor and even within their own region, they hold very little power. Seffs are, effectively, enforcers and overseers of the Emperor's law and will.

Within their region, a seff is generally considered the highest position of power (despite a lack of actual power). They direct and maintain their region's affairs and state of being. Seffs are responsible for keeping their regions in line and in step with Imperial law and are also responible to report their status and the status of the region they are overseeing weekly to the Magistrate Council, which, in turn, brings the reports directly to the Emperor.