THE STRUCTURE OF THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT

In theory, the governmental structure of the Imperium is simple: The worlds of the Imperium handle their own affairs subject to a few common rules. The Imperium rules the space in between. To paraphrase a great political commentator of the early days of the Imperium: "The citizens govern themselves. The Imperial authorities just make sure nobody's shooting at them while they do it." But the Imperium does maintain control of its member worlds. Individual worlds can be brought into line by many means, up to and including military force. More commonly, a combination of advice, guidance and subtle economic control is used to ensure that the worlds of the Imperium do as the Emperor wishes. Within these loose bounds, the various world governments rule as they please.

The Imperial nobility both serve and rule the citizens of the Imperium. They command the fleets that protect them, conduct diplomacy in their name, represent the citizens at the Imperial Court, directly rule many worlds, advise the government on others and act as "fire brigades" to deal with threats to the citizens' well-being. It is in return for this service that the nobility receive their privileged status. The highest Imperial authority is the Emperor and his immediate family. Next come the archdukes who rule the great Imperial domains. Each domain is a region comprising the Imperial worlds of four sectors of space.

The Spinward Marches are a single sector within the Domain of Deneb. The archduke of the Domain of Deneb is Akari Duvanee, whose capital is at Atadl/Atsah in the Deneb sector. The Domain of Deneb covers all the worlds owing allegiance to the Imperium within the Spinward Marches, Deneb, Trojan Reaches and Reft sectors. Deneb is smaller than other domains for several reasons. Firstly, a few worlds of Reft Sector lie beyond feasible administrative range, on the other side of the Great Rift. Secondly, the Rift itself contains very few systems, meaning that Reft Sector contains very few Imperial worlds and Deneb has three almost completely empty subsectors. Thirdly, the Trojan Reaches lie almost entirely beyond the Imperial border. Only a few Imperial outposts and client states answer to the archduke at Mora. Lastly, even the Spinward Marches and Deneb contain worlds of non-Imperial allegiance. Despite being smaller than other domains, Deneb is still far, far too big for any one sentient, however talented, to maintain close control. Thus, as the Emperor at Capital/Core delegates authority to his archdukes, the archdukes delegate authority to their subordinates, and they to theirs.

Archduke Akari does not rule the worlds of his domain. Even Atadl, of which he is the hereditary duke, does not "belong" to him. In this limited concept of rule, Akari claims authority over his domain in precisely the same fashion that the Emperor rules the Imperium. The Imperium and its domains are a feudal organization of worlds that have agreed to surrender certain rights, such as control of foreign affairs, and the "right" to enslave sentient beings. Member worlds have agreed to pay tax to the Imperium and to abide by certain Imperial laws, such as those banning weapons of mass destruction in ground combat or space-to-surface bombardment (use of nuclear-tipped missiles by military vessels is allowed in space combat), slavery, piracy and so forth. In return, member worlds retain autonomy in governance of their internal affairs. They keep the right to maintain armed forces and to engage in trade, research and even limited warfare to enforce their interests. Member worlds are granted the protection of the Imperial armed forces and emergency aid in need. They are granted the services of a member of the nobility to represent the world at the Imperial Court. The style of government chosen by the populace is each world's own business. Anarchies, republics, monarchies (even sub-empires), corporate states and religious dictatorships exist in the Imperium. The level of governmental control, the technology employed and the laws to be enforced are all determined internally. The Imperium does not interfere in these matters unless Imperial laws are broken. Some worlds are the personal fief of a noble, or are protectorates under direct Imperial control due to intervention for one of a variety of reasons. Such worlds are sometimes termed "Imperial" worlds, since the government of the world is the Imperial government. Examples include Jae Tellona in the Marches, which is under naval administration, or Iruurk in Core sector, which is ruled by House Talaton, a powerful Imperial family.