Imperial Government of Aerion

Coat of Arms of the Imperial Government

Head of State
The Imperial Crown

The Pādshah Empress of Aerion is the absolute autocrat and monarch of Aerion. The Pādshah Empress (or other bearer of the Imperial Crown) has sovereignty over Aerion and therefore sovereignty is not vested in a constitution nor tradition. This gives the Pādshah Empress absolute legal power over Aerion and she delegates her power as the source of any legal government powers. The Pādshah Empress is also the fount of honor meaning she has the exclusive right to grant titles of nobility and orders of chivalry on individuals within the Grand Empire of Aerion.

Imperial Archchancellor

The Archchancellor of the Empire is practically the head of government in the Grand Empire though his power is completely subordinate to the Empress who as autocrat is both head of government and head of state. Under the Empress he competes practically for this position with the Chief Imperial Advisor who has gained in power. Many of the practical duties of the Imperial Archchancellor are carried out by the Imperial Vice-Chancellor. As one of the Great Officers of State he is within the Empire equal to the Imperial High Steward, Grand Marshal of the Empire and the Grand Admiral in precedence. Foreign nations may sometimes designate him as the head of government for purposes of protocol.

Imperial Advisor

The Imperial Advisors are the most powerful individuals in the Empire outside of the Imperial Family, and Great Officers of State. Some are perhaps more powerful. The position is analogues to a Minister without portfolio or Senior Advisor in other nations, but with considerably more power in the Grand Empire. They number only six, including the Chief Imperial Advisor. Ministers and Imperial Governors in actuality often report to them. The present Chief Imperial Advisor is Duke Dr. Revane Kassvar. Other notable Imperial Advisors include Duke Severin Bezavurn, Marquis Areta Eyeonan, Count Asere Rufello.

Imperial Vice-Chancellor

The Imperial Vice-Chancellor carries out many of the practical duties of the Imperial Archchancellor, and is in many ways more akin to a Cabinet Secretary and senior civil servant. He leads meetings of the Deputy Ministers who in practicality run the day to day operations of the various Ministries. In the somewhat Byzantine world of the Imperial Government and Imperial Aerionian Court he finds himself at odds with the Chief Imperial Advisor, and Imperial Advisors who may also sit in on any meetings.

Aerion-Spāhbed

The Aerion-Spahbed is equivalent to Generalissimo or six-star rank in some nations. The Padshah Empress has yet to appoint the Aerion-Spahbed, and it is generally a position appointed during war times. This rank outranks five-star ranks such as Marshals, Grand Admirals, and Air Marshals.

Supreme Imperial Council of Aerion

Discusses the most important matters of state particularly defense and major foreign affairs. Less than 9 members.

Imperial Council of State

The Imperial Council of State is composed of Ministers, privy councillors, and other major officials. The closest equivalent to a "cabinet." The Ministers compose a Committee of Ministers within the Imperial Council of State.

HIM's Privy Council of Aerion

A larger body of the ministers, secretaries of state, and other appointed officials. At times a more honorary body, and does not meet practically.

Imperial Satraps

Imperial Satraps are placed with authority over each province, with territories headed by an Imperial Viceroy that outrank governors in precedence. This title was previously Royal Governor under Crown Prince Damoen Wasterin until the rise of the Padshah Empress though governors often functioned similar to satraps with their own courts, and powers. Imperial Satraps are at times though not always the nobility of the particular province or former tribal royalty of the province's namesake. The name is inspired by the Persian Sasanian heritage of the Padshah Empress and some of Aerion's nobility.

The Imperial Government

The Imperial Government itself generally refers to the Empress, the Great Officers of State, and members of the Imperial Council of State. It practically includes the Chief Imperial Advisor, and Imperial Advisors as well. Ceremonially HIM's Privy Council of Aerion as a whole is included.

Committee of Ministers

When consulting directly with the Empress the Ministers, and others gathered together are called the Imperial Council of State. Outside of this it is simply the Committee of Ministers which the Imperial Archchancellor or Imperial Vice-Chancellor convenes.

The Imperial Civil Service

The Imperial Civil Service is the bureaucracy that supports the Imperial Government. It is practically led by the Imperial Vice-Chancellor as the senior most civil servant. Though the line blurs as all Ministers are appointed, most of those who are in the Imperial Government but not members of HIM's Privy Council or the Imperial Aerionian Court identify as the Imperial Civil Service or may also be in the Imperial Diplomatic Service. The Imperial Vice-Chancellor generally is thought to belong in both categories as civil servant, and member of the Imperial Council of State. The Deputy Ministers who run the day to day operations of the Ministries are generally civil servants, but may fill in for the Ministers in Committee of Ministers meetings and other meetings in their absence.

The Ministries

Ministry of the Imperial Court (technically also under the Imperial Household)
Ministry of Public Security
Ministry of the Treasury
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Defense
Ministry of Public Information
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of the Interior
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Transportation
Ministry of Science
Ministry of Energy
Ministry of the Environment
Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development

Provincial and Local Government

Each of the provinces of Aerion has an appointed Imperial Satrap. These have all been recently appointed by the Empress.

The princely states of Zrepzunia are ruled by the Imperial Viceroy. The Imperial Satraps take varying interest in government, but many live like kings or queens themselves living in the Satrap Palaces within the Provincial Capitals.

They often appoint a Seneschal to actually govern the province on a day to day basis with approval of the Empress, or practically an Imperial Advisor. Metropolitan counties are often under a hereditary Count/ess or Imperial Mayor. Major cities often designated Imperial are governed by Imperial Mayors or Counts & Countesses directly appointed by the Empress, and may function more independently from the Imperial Governor of their province. Often Imperial Governors may find themselves in the awkward position of their Provincial Capital being governed by an Imperial Mayor or Count/ess appointed separately by the Empress, especially if they are less in Imperial favor or trust at the time.

Some Mayors of metropolitans, townships, and villages are elected. Ward Councillors in cities and towns are also often elected officials.

Each chief officer appoints his council to help him run his government such as County and City Councils.
Counties vary in size, but may be rather large if they contain rural districts which are largely unpopulated. The number of counties in a Marquisate/region vary, but may be up to 40.

Imperial Satrap's Powers
Imperial Satraps have vast power, almost as subordinate kings, though vast responsibility as they are the ones to blame if something goes wrong in their province. Megacorporations who dominate the province may put pressure on the provincial government as well though this has been less so under the Padshah Empress. Many live their life in luxury, however, holding court at their Palace while leaving the real work to their lackeys such as the Seneschal. Each Imperial Satrap has a palatial residence which is usually quiet elaborate.

Political Divisions of Aerion

Province - Imperial Satrap (formerly Royal Governor)
Region - Regional Governor
County/Prefecture - Count or Prefect
Metropolitan County - Count or Imperial Mayor ex: Greater Astevane
-Metropolitan Districts - Mayor ex: Industrial District
-Metropolitan Wards - Councillor ex: 5th Ward
Barony/Rural District - Baron or (non-noble) Rural Commissioner
Township - Mayor or Imperial Mayor
Community - Alderman or elected Chieftan

Local Imperial Ministry Offices

Many functions of local government are handled by the local offices and huge bureaucracy of an Imperial Ministry rather than the local government. For instance, the Ministry of Education directly runs all schools on every level, and the Ministry of Transporation handles all transportation and roadways down to the township level at which the local council will directly supervise things such as streets.

Police forces on all levels are supervised by the Imperial Ministry of Public Security, and directly managed by the Ministry in the various territorial regions in cooperation with the territorial powers. Metropolitan police forces are jointly supervised between the Ministry and a Count, Imperial or regular Mayor's appointee who is usually known as the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

This top to bottom organization leads to standardized procedure on all levels of government, meaning that directives can come straight from the Imperial Satrap or Emperess herself and be implemented immediately on local levels.