A Modern Ransei: The Empire of Ransei (Government)
Once upon a time, there lived a region named Ransei that, for reasons unknown, ceased to exist after a form of natural cataclysm. It was from this tragedy that the modern day society of Japan was formed, with it’s people fleeing their doomed continent and making their new home in Johto.
What if it hadn’t, though?
[The Government’s structure and in practice]
The Empire of Ransei is an (in theory of constitution and legality, but not in practice) absolute monarchy ruled by the Imperial Royal Family, the Yoshida dynasty. The nation is split into 17 Administrative States, each headed by a Governor (who take care of regional politics in a vain similar to the Warlords of old) that manage virtually all aspects within their respective nations, not unlike the Warlords of old.
The Empire is ruled by a small national government and functions with very little politics (although that is not to say there is an absence of political parties, as demonstrated by the Democratic, Socialist, and Ultranationalist Parties). In practice, the Empire’s government essentially consists of one Crown Emperor or Empress and 20 other individuals (the Gorvernors and the three top generals of the military, typically headed by the Oda Clan) who reign with incredible power over both government and economy.
In essence, the national government consists of 21 people who rule with absolute power.
On one hand, this has resulted in a nation that does not suffer from the usual issues of bureaucracy: paperwork handed between ministry to ministry, endless debates of how to get something done with nothing being done in return. They decide on something and it happens fairly quickly: when the Crown decides to make a change to the constitution, all courts must immediately reflect upon that resolution. Even if it’s not a change to the constitution, courts and law enforcement MUCH honor the Crown’s command.
The Emperor/Empress reigns for life upon ascension. Upon tradition, the current Emperor or Empress changes their name to Masamune (men) or Ayame (women) and keep this name until the end of their reign. As of now, during the events of the main series, the Empress is Ayame VII (Birthname Keiko), who is currently unwed.
On the plus side, not even the Government’s biggest opposers (the Communist Party and the the Democratic Party) cannot argue that the government is, at the least, quick and efficient in getting what it wants done. When they give the orders, the rest of the country is quick to follow: they don’t really have a choice.
So, it goes without saying that Ransei is a very authoritarian country. Civilians hold extremely little political rights outside of their local communities, and have virtually no say in the governmental work of the country. Small local communities often govern themselves and elect their own local leaders, who in return often answer to the State’s Governor. However, ultimately, people lack the power to vote on all levels: even the rich lack the ability to vote, but often support Governors and attempt to sway them to their favor. The rich still have significant influence in their States in terms of food production and business, which is something that Governors must keep in mind. If they anger these rich men and they refuse to cooperate, it’ll ultimately be on that Governor’s record and the shame will ultimately be cast on them.
As a result, the rich, while lacking political power like most societies, make up for it in their economic power. Old landowning clans have amassed much wealth over the years and have begun new business ventures: as the central government is very slow and only places basic laws on them (minimum wage is a guarantee -a very surprising move by Ayame’s pro-Zaibatsu and pro-business father- as is overtime) granting them extreme influence in Ransei’s economic structure. While the Crown can invoke an Absolute Deceleration (see below) to force them to accept their will, doing so without thinking can lead to drastic consequences. Within recent years, however, this has been challenged by the civilian level for the first time in many years.
The Emperor/Empress of the Empire is, at any time the absolute and undisputed head of the State, who’s power is theoretically infinite in political power. However, in actual practice, it functions more akin to a constitutional monarchy:
While the Crown can theoretically do as they wish, it is highly customary to follow the laws set by the Empire. As in, if the Crown wishes a Governor removed, it is customary for them to call for a vote of no confidence (see below) and remove them from their office with the consent of the other Warlords/Governors. “A wise ruler does not abuse the power to rule absolutely,” was a deceleration of Ayame the Mother Empress, a practice that remains in effect today, like many of Ayame’s original ideals (due to both her extreme political and religious legacy). The Crown is expected to rule by the book unless necessary: at any time, an Emperor/Empress may invoke what is referred to in the Ransei constitution as an Absolute Declaration: when this ancient law in invoked, all other laws and practices are suspended to make it happen. This is the Crown invoking their divine right to absolute monarchy to give an order that cannot be defied. Laws that would get in the way are pushed aside, and paperwork and the like that would slow the process down are suspended to make it possible ASAP.
Ayame the Mother Empress also believed that while the Crown should follow the rules, it was essential to any ruler to have the right to push aside everything to do what was best for the nation if the situation called for it. That is the right of Absolute Declaration, uniquely protected in the constitution to the point it cannot be changed by any party: only another Absolute Declaration could possibly override it’s ruling.
(The Yoshida dynaty’s kamon, the official seal of the Royal Family, generated here)
Since unification as an Empire, the nation has been ruled by the Yoshida dynasty, formally created into what it was by Ayame the Mother Empress/Ayame the Conqueror of God (the first title is the official, formal title of the the historical Ayame -the Pokemon Conquest protagonist-, while the later is used in a more religious sense). Originally a Pokemon Warrior family with a history of fighting spanning several generations as both mercenaries and in the armies of Warlords (but never anything worth being in the history books), it would be Ayame (then it’s last surviving member) who would make this family the center of an Empire.
The Yoshida dynasty’s Crown Emperor/Empress is the undisputed head of government, who’s power is theoretically infinite: to follow the laws of the nation civilly is more of an obligation than a requirement, although for an Emperor/Empress to rule freely without restriction is seen as both a sign of blasphemy against the memory of the original Ayame and as a weak ruler. Thus, it is considered customary for the Crown to rule justly and by law, as opposed to whims.
The dynasty’s absolute rule
A Governor holds his position for ten years at, at which point the Governors gather in Aurora to determine if their peer is worthy of continuing their position or if they should be replaced. While this means a Governor could hold their position for life, it is rather rare for one to hold their position for more than 20-30 years: something expected by most who enter the position, unless the’re like, an utterly amazing Governor. If the Crown Emperor/Empress feels it necessary, they may call for a vote of no confidence. While the Empire is constitutionally an absolute monarchy, this is an example of where it is not necessarily so in practice: while they could simply demand the removal of the Governor, it has only (in recent times) been done with the approval of the other Governors. Historically, Governors and Warlords have shown their willingness to band together to defy the Crown if they feel a Governor/Warlord is being unjustly removed... admittingly, mostly to keep their own positions secure.
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