Governo Imperiale (Imperial Goverment)
(Estratto dalle fonti raw locali; il testo originale è mantenuto in larga parte in inglese per preservare termini e formulazioni. Le note tra parentesi quadre sono riferimenti presenti nelle fonti.)
Imperial Goverment
"A government? You call that a government? Looks like the invention of a deranged Snotling!"
—Count Claude Villecroix of Parravon, Bretonnian ambassador to the court of the Emperor Karl Franz[1f]
Contrary to popular beliefs, the Empire is not a unified nation ruled by a powerful central government but is in actuality a massive confederation of fiercely independent states and provinces whose inhabitants are tied together only by a common language, a shared faith in Sigmar and a mutual Imperial culture. Nowadays there are two types of states: the provinces and the city-state. Sigmar was a wise and calculating leader, and he had the foresight to recognize that the Empire was far too big to be ruled by a single man. And so he gave the title of Counts to all the tribal leaders, each responsible for managing his own territory but subject to the Emperor in matters relating to its rulership. Their independence was supposed to counterbalance the power of the Emperor should he proved too tyrannical as a leader, as well as to ensure mutual but non-violent competition amongst each of the Imperial Counts.[1f]
When it became known that Sigmar did not have an heir to inherit the Imperial Throne, the invention of the electoral system was successful in avoiding a civil war amongst the various Counts, but it however complicated matters even further in creating and maintaining a successive ruler. Those ambitious Elector Counts that wish to become Emperor have been known to give away privileges, titles, and power to any man that will cast his vote for him. The interests of each voters were such that they seldom rallied around a strong candidate, for they may find another of his rivals far more "generous" in their "gifts", which has resulted in the weakening of the Imperial system. Even when the Imperial Throne is transferred to his heir by majority vote thanks to the previous Emperor's influence, voters were quick to remind the newly elected Emperor to renew the promises made by his predecessor.[1f]
While the Empire had a fair share of strong and highly competent Emperors ruling the Empire, many times have the Imperial Throne been occupied by an uncaring Lord who allows his subjects to steal and exploit the Imperial system and her people, often going as far as to ignore the Imperial Edicts once placed by wise and caring rulers of ages past. However, the Imperial System as a whole still continues to work for the Empire as was its purpose, allowing any wise and ambitious Emperor to take the throne and used its powers to better the people under his reign.[1f]
Imperial Law
In theory, the Emperor is free to make whatever laws and regulations he or she wishes and have it apply to the whole of the Empire. The truth is more nuanced, for laws must pass the review of the Prime Estates, who report to the Electors. A bad report is often all the excuse an Elector needs to quietly not enforce the law or deny it altogether, in times of a weak emperor. In such cases, the Emperor, if he is determined to see the law obeyed, will exercise diplomatic and even public pressure on the recalcitrant Elector to come to heel. Often this is enough to gain grudging acceptance. But, if the Elector is determined, an Emperor may claim peremptory jurisdiction and have the case heard in his own courts. In rare cases, continued defiance by an Elector may merit military action, as Karl Franz’s ancestor Wilhelm threatened against Elector Gunnwald of Averland in the case of the Pudding Tax Revolt of 2433.[1i]
Imperial Law concerns itself mostly with revenues, security from foreign and internal threats, the regulation of sorcery, and the rooting out of Chaos cults. Many Emperors have claimed jurisdiction over the succession to Electoral thrones when the succession is in dispute, and even the right in extreme cases to depose Electors, elevate new families to the Electoral rank, and even give whole provinces to another Elector, as was the case with Drakwald under Emperor Mandred. Though rooted in ancient law and the precedent set by Sigmar himself, no Elector formally acknowledges this right and all resist it in any but the direst cases, lest a lasting precedent is set.[1i]
Imperial courts exist in all the major cities of the Empire, including the capitals of the Grand Provinces, with judges appointed by the Emperor through the office of the Imperial authority over the case, leading to extended wrangling while the defendant or parties to a civil case swing in the wind.[1i]
The Council of State
Due to its size, the Imperial Government is considered far too large and complex for a single man or woman to function properly. It is common that each day, the Emperor must devote attention to dozens of questions, from newly introduced tax policies, the final appeal of a prisoner convicted of treason, or even the official opening of a ceremonial fairground. To succeed in establishing a priority order in this complex system and ensure that only individuals whose cases are really crucial get an audience with the Emperor himself, successive Emperors have often surrounded themselves with advisers chosen from members among the most prominent noble families so that they may assist on legal, financial, diplomatic and military matters in the Emperors stead. Over time, this gathering of councilors turned into a formal meeting, which officially became the Council of State.[1f]
Members of the Council of State as of 2520 IC Volkmar the Grim - Spiritual Leader. Siegfried von Walfen - Chancellor of the Reikland. Balthasar Gelt - Counselor of Matters Magical. Amadeus Mencken - Chamberlain of the Seal. Kurt Helborg - Military Advisor to the Emperor. Lotte Hochsvoll - Chancellor of the Imperial Treasury. Agatha von Böhrn - Supreme Law Lord. Arne Damstadt - Chamberlain of the Imperial House. Each member of the Council controls a large bureaucracy that helps administer the affairs of the state. Such is the importance of their position within the Government that the common people will probably never see these members in person except maybe indirectly in official or ceremonial events.[1f]
Prime Estates
The Prime Estates is an Imperial advisory body composed of representatives chosen by the Electors that was created to help aid the Emperor of Man in the administration of the Empire -- and ensure that the interests of the Electors are not trampled upon by an overly-strong emperor. At the end of the 11th century IC, when Emperor Boris Goldgather tried to confer the title of duke upon his favorite racehorse, the Electors unanimously decided that they had to have a veto upon the emperor's actions so as to keep face with the Empire's people. So each Elector deputised one representative each to form a watchdog body that would take the name of the Prime Estates.[1f]
This institution is located within a beautiful building in the confines of the capital of Altdorf, its membership ostensibly open to any person of the recognised Imperial nobility, although the "lackeys" of the emperor are carefully kept away. In fact, the Prime Estates has now essentially become the Empire's legislature. All Imperial edicts are carefully examined "in the interest of the state," with documented reports being immediately sent to the Electors who can choose to either support or veto the edict. The Prime Estates can veto any edict that does not suit them or the Empire's interests, allowing the Prime Estates to have near-complete control over what course the emperor may take in legislating for the Empire.[1f]
Each Elector Count maintains an established representative of their interests in the capital, and these embassies are directed by either one of their loyal family members or another close and loyal acquaintance. These ambassadors will discuss new Imperial decrees or legislation announced by the emperor in council in the Prime Estates, as well as send these reports back to the Electors they ultimately serve. As they have the power to veto those decisions of the emperor that do not suit them, it is important for the emperor to obtain the approval of the Prime Estates if he hopes to accomplish anything.[1f]
In theory, the emperor also has a veto over the Prime Estates' decision as he is the Empire's recognised sovereign, but in practice, it would be very difficult for him to exercise it. Indeed, without real majority support amongst the Electors, the emperor has little capability to assert his own right of veto over the Prime Estates. The latest attempt to do so occurred during the reign of Emperor Mattheus II who wished to institute a more democratic form of government for the Empire, drastically reducing the power of the nobility, but the threat of a civil war unleashed by the Elector Counts if he took such a step was so pressing that he was forced to give it up.[1f]
Provincial Goverments
Since the time of Sigmar Heldenhammer, the lands of what is today the Empire was divided between many semi-autonomous states that are collectively referred to as the Great Provinces or Electoral Provinces, named because the Elector Counts who rule them traditionally have a say in the election of the next Emperor. The provinces are further divided into various counties, baronies, or leagues whose administrative governors are appointed by the Elector Count. These regional governors, in turn, appoint the governors of cities. This practice, however, is not universally prevalent: some cities have been known to elect their own municipal councils.[1f]
Theoretically, the boundaries of the Imperial provinces were based on the territories of the ancient barbarian tribes that Sigmar had united around him during his reign as the nation's first Emperor, however, over the last several centuries, the dynastic quarrels and ruthless ambition between various Lords and Counts have altered the borders, where new states have emerged while others have since disappeared from history.[1f]
The patriotic citizenry that lives within these provinces are fiercely proud of their people's traditions and ancestry. In essence, the people of each provinces are in many ways a completely different people, with many expressions or dialects varying from province to province. The people of the east and north are generally more hardy and warlike as they are regularly victims of invasions, while those in the West and South are perceived as more cosmopolitan and "civilized" or effeminate and proud, according to the view of the person to whom a person asks.[1g][2d]
The style of government also varies from province to province. Talabecland, for example, is firmly autocratic, while Solland had many democratic ideals and institutions during its existence. In the overall health of the nation, however, the political structure between various governments has very little influence on the lives of the citizen of the Empire overall, for the rich are still widely favored over the poor who live in squalor.[1g][2d]
The lands of the Great Provinces are themselves a patchwork of smaller semi-autonomous states or holdings belonging to a certain religious Cult or martial Order, chartered towns and cities, and lands held by various noble families or even Elector Counts of other provinces. This patchwork is the result of a millennia of feudalism, inheritance, war, and purchases. Each noble, from the smallest landholders to the greatest Duke is theoretically beholden to one above him, up to the Elector Counts, who would then answer only to the Emperor himself. Thus, if the Emperor has a problem with the Duke of Niebelwald, he has to make his complaints through the Elector of Averland, who the Duke is a vassal towards.[1g]
Provincial Structure
Provinces in the Empire are divided between those who are ruled by an Elector Count, an Elector and those who are ruled by mere nobles.
The rulers of the Electoral Provinces, which are also called the Grand Provinces, are effectively sovereigns in their own realms, meaning they are largely able to exercise their authority as they see fit within the boundaries of their domains without needing to ask the Emperor’s permission. Some are more independent than others, thanks to special privileges granted by previous Emperors. For example, the City States of Middenheim and Talabheim send no taxes to the Imperial coffers, and only have to supply troops during times of war when all the other provinces have been exhausted.[9a]
Down through the centuries, there have also been other provincial rulers granted a right to vote for the next Emperor. This right has been granted by Emperors in the past for various political or social reasons, but is not linked to a royal title or the right to claim a Runefang. Currently, the Empire only has one Electoral Province ruled by an Elector: the Grand County of Mootland.[9b]
There are also many lesser, non-Electoral Provinces. The rulers of these Provinces are not considered to have royal blood but are important for historical, political, religious, or societal reasons. As a result, non-Electors often rival, or nearly equal, the less powerful Electors. Provincial rulers are responsible first to their liege, the relevant Elector above them, and secondly to the Emperor. They appeal directly to their Elector, not the Emperor, for justice if they feel wronged. Just to add to the confusion, some of the Provinces are also ruled directly by an Elector Count, but do not have Electoral privileges.[9b]
The Prime Estates are ruled by the vassals of the Electoral Provinces and Provinces. Whether the land is a duchy, march, league, county, palatinate, barony, or something else, its ruler is considered one of the most important nobles in the Empire, and can vote in the Prime Estate Diet. Most Prime Estates are split into many smaller fiefs. A fief is ruled by a Noble House that has not sworn loyalty directly to its Elector Count, but to a lesser noble, perhaps a ruler of a Prime Estate. However, that doesn’t mean such nobles wield any lesser power in their personal domains.[9c]
Imperial City-States
An Imperial city-state is a privileged, semi-autonomous state based in one of the Empire's largest cities, often the capital of one of the Electoral Provinces, that can assert its political, legal, and military sovereignty over a specific territory; the space enclosed by its city wall and its immediate surrounds. The city-state is a concentration of economic, political, religious, academic, and ideological power, thanks to its very diverse society and its semi-democratic ruling. Most cities form independent political entities within the greater Imperial government. [2d]
For the vast majority of the inhabitants of the Empire, it is through the city that the Imperial government is manifested in everyday life. This is where the taxes are collected, where the criminal courts are served, where a military service is completed, and where the goods are sold. The governmental structure varies from city to city. In some of them, the governor is sometimes appointed by the Elector Count as an autocratic authority, whilst others consist of democratically elected individuals from several noble or mercantile families.[2d]