On YouTube, one wonderful person (tell me if you want to be here by name) left a huge comment about how the world of MHA would understand the political system of the different nations of Teyvat. It's so detailed that it would be a sin not to make a post about it somewhere. Like here.
So read it if you're interested)
Mondstadt (Military Stratocracy-Meritocracy)- A stratocracy is a form of government where the state and the military are institutionally the same. In this system, the armed forces hold supreme political authority, and the government is administered directly by commissioned military officers rather than elected civilian leaders. Mondstadt is run completely by it's military there is no king but there is also no voting or civillan influnce. The only reason Mondstadt isn't a monarchy or dictatorship is because the 2 active leaders happen to be good people. It falls under "The Good Emperor" Fallacy where a persons virtue, wisdom or strength of will can reliably overcome the inherent dangers of unchecked power and Mondstadt's Knights of Favonius are the definition of unchecked power. Also Meirtocracy is a system where wealth, power and advancement are determined by individual abilty rather then birthright, wealth and social connections, All the knights have unchecked power because they're appointed by Jean or Varka and have gotten that power through hard work, effort and skill.
Liyue (Constitutional Theocratic Oligarchy, After Rex Lapis's Death it became a Secular Merchant Oligarchy.)- The government is bound by a foundational set of laws, rules or agreements, The rulers cannot simply make up laws on a whim they must follow the established legal system and even the supreme leader (Morax/Rex Lapis) are subject to these rules. The Ultimate moral and legal authority of the state comes from a deity or religious mandate (Morax) The laws are designed to align with the will of said god and the nations idenity is deeply intertwined with religon or divine history. Oligarchy is power held by a small group of Elites typically distinguished by Wealth, Noblity or specific expertise or all the above. After Morax's Death it became a Secular Merchant Oligarchy. The government operates independently of religious institutions, divine decrees or church athorites. Laws, Public Polices and judical decisions are based on Logic, Economics and civil law rather then The Will Of A God. The now ruling class The Liyue Qixing derives it's status, influence and authority directly from commerce, trade and economic wealth. Rather than inheriting power through royal bloodlines (Arisocracy) or military strength (Stratocracy), Leaders earn their seats through corporate success, market dominance and financial intelligence. The power is concentrated in the 7 individuals of The Liyue Qixing these elite make all major legislative and executive decisions for the nation without being democratically elected by the general public. Don't let all these words fool you however, The 7 of the Liyue Qixing hold all the power now that Rex lapis is gone. It is effectively a meritocracy where all the power is held by the 7 richest individuals of the country.
Inazuma (Delegated Absolute Theocratic Autocracy)- This gets confusing so lets run it down. Delegated means the ruler hands over the daily, tedious work of civil adminstration to subordinate ministries or subordinates, Absolute means the rulers decisions are completely above the law, with zero constitutional limits or democratic checks and balances. Theocratic means The Supreme leader is a literal immortal god who rules by "divine right" and embodies the nations religion and Autocracy means Ultimate Executive, legislative and judical power is concentrated entirely within a single individual. The Shogun and or Raiden Ei has passed all civil adminstration to the Tri-Commission, However she is a GOD and holds absolute power over EVERYTHING within the nation, for example if the Tri-Commission passes a order or new law that The Shogun doesn't like, Then it's Gone. Just like that. If the commission arrests someone or being and imprisons it or them and The Shogun disagrees with the Imprisonment then (it's) or (they're) freed without conquences unless The Shogun deems Imprisonment to light of a sentence and decides to Execute said person or being. This is completely within her right, she could wish to literally GENOCIDE an entire race and that would be within "her right" and the people would PROBABLY follow along.
Sumeru (Delegated Theocratic Academic Obligary Meritocracy)- Everything in the government goes through the school system. The Sumeru Akademiya is not just a university it is the entire civil service, the paraliament and the executive branch of the government. if you are not part of the school you have no say in how the country is run. In Sumeru the elite group consists of the Six Sagwes who lead the Darshans (The Academic Departments). Along with The Grand Sage (Nahida and or The Goddess Of Wisdom) make all the major legislative and executive decisions for the nation. Unlike traditional oligarchies where power is passed down through wealthy families (Plutocracy) or noble bloodlines (Arisocracy) Sumeru's elite must earn their way in. You only get a seat at the oligarchic table by proving you are one of the most brilliant minds in Teyvat through relentless research, peer-reviewed success and intellectual achievement. Delegated here however means that Nahida does still hold the absolute power here, However Nahida activally REFUSES her power over the nation. She activally takes part within the executive and legislative decisions but she can be debated and negoiated with. Nahida claims no power over Sumeru she acts more like a Gaurdian Deity and only takes over the nation for when things go completely out of control like Sage corruption or national security. She is the absolute power but refuses said power. The people of Sumeru are the only people in the world who can activally debate a literal God and benifit from, and are in the right to do so.
Fontaine (Devolved Populist Judicial Autocracy)- This is also confusing so lets run it down. Devovled the supreme power (Hydro Archon) throne was Destoryed. Being second only to the Hydro Archon, Neuvillette becomes the central power. Populist, The government's legitimacy and daily operations are deeply tied to the public consensus, transpartency and the active social participation of regular citizens. Judicial, The legal system is the entire framework of the nation and led by it's supreme judge (The Ludex Neuvillette) rather than a politician, king or general. Autocracy, Absolute executive, legislative and judicial power is concentrated in a single un-elected ruler (Neuvillette) who holds final veto power over ALL aspects of society. Although Neuvillette holds final say in all matters he follows a strict code of law and is highly influenced by his people. He is open to constructive critism, debates and negoiation for he is a Judge first, before he is The Surpreme Leader.
Natlan (Martial Confederate Ancestral Coaliation)- Another crazy one so lets break it down. Martial (The Only Shared Purpose) The six tribes of Natlan do not unite to build roads, regulate trade or manage healthcare. Their unity exists almost exclusively for national defense. The Pyro Archon (Mavuika) is not a policymaker she is a Supreme Allied Commander. The entire nation operates on a permanent wartime footing to stop The Abyss from destorying there nation. Confederate (Total Local Sovereignty) In a true federation, the central government holds ultimate sovereignty over the states. Natlan is a confederation because the central authority (The Stadium and Pyro Archon) has zero power over the individual tribes. if the Chief of the springs decides on a local rule, The Pyro archon cannot overrule it and vise versa. The tribes are independent entities that choose to cooperate. Ancestral, A traditional government is held together by a constituition or social contract. Natlan is held together by The Wayob and The Night Kingdom. their "Citizenship" is a spiritual bond forged through their ancestral bloodlines and the names passed down through generations. You obey the system outta of RESPECT not because you ACTUALLY have too. Coalition (A Voluntary Alliance), A government generally does not allow it's citizens to just opt-out. Natlan functions as a coalition because it is a voluntary alliance of six distinct nations labled as one. They pool their best warriors and supplies into protection of The Sacred Flame, but remain culturally and structurally distinct. They're effectively NOT a government.
Snezhnaya (Totalitarian Military Stratocracy)- The Tsaritsa (God Of Love) hold absolute Authority unlike Fontaine or Sumeru there is no separtion of powers or delegated independence. She holds both divine right and total political sovereignty over the nation. The Fatui Eleven Fatui Harbingers serve as The Tsaritas executive officers. They are given absolute executive authority over different sectors of the nation. For example the "Regrator" Number 9 of The Fatui Harbingers handles the nation's entire economy and banking system. Dottore Number 2 of The Fatui Harbingers handles scientific research and negoations. Arlecchino Number 4 of The Fatui Harbingers runs the nations intelligence and espionage. The entire nation is managed by The Fatui who directly answer to The Tsarita there is no delegated power here. They answer to the whims of their God.
