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Creating Government Systems in Fantasy Worlds
Introduction
In both fantasy and science fiction, world-building goes beyond geography, magic systems, and character development. A well-crafted government structure adds realism, depth, and intrigue to your world, shaping everything from political alliances and social hierarchy to how characters navigate power and justice. In this blog, we’ll explore ideas for building government systems in fictional worlds, touching on monarchy, councils, alien influence, and more.
Whether your world has monarchs, elected councils, or mysterious alien overlords, government structures can deeply impact your story. Let’s delve into how to create these systems and explore ways they might interact with the inhabitants of your world.
1. Establishing the Government in Your Alien Species
If you’ve created an alien species, consider their government setup. Is it similar to earthly governments, or does it operate on principles that are uniquely alien? Perhaps their governance style reflects their cultural values or physical traits. Alien governments might be:
Centralized Empires: An authoritarian regime where one powerful leader or council controls vast regions and subjugates various planets or races. Such a government might have a strict hierarchy, with each level monitoring the loyalty and obedience of the levels below it.
Collective Councils: A decentralized government where each member has a say in decisions, perhaps casting votes as part of a planetary or interstellar council. These aliens might have a council made up of representatives from different regions or factions, balancing power and unity.
Manipulative Shadow Leaders: Some alien species may have infiltrated other civilizations, subtly guiding or controlling their governments for their own purposes. These aliens might present themselves as deities or trusted advisors, using their advanced technology or wisdom to steer the native population.
In your world, aliens could influence or manipulate the existing governments, whether through overt control or covert guidance. In some cases, they might even establish a puppet government, presenting themselves as “benevolent overseers” while subtly enforcing their own agenda.
2. Crafting Governments in Fantasy Worlds: Kingdoms, Councils, and Beyond
When creating governments in a fantasy world, consider the structures that best fit the society, geography, and technology level. In a medieval-inspired setting, you might use monarchies, councils, or tribal leadership. In other cases, a more democratic or council-based approach might fit. Let’s explore some options.
Monarchies and Nobility
In many fantasy worlds, monarchies remain a popular choice, with kings, queens, and their nobility ruling over kingdoms. Monarchies can be structured in various ways:
Absolute Monarchies: The king or queen has complete control, with all laws and policies stemming from their rule. Nobles may play a role but are ultimately subservient to the monarch.
Constitutional Monarchies: A council or parliament shares power with the monarch. This creates a political dynamic where the monarch’s influence is checked by a governing body, adding complexity to the system.
Noble Hierarchies: In some worlds, regional nobility plays a significant role in governance, ruling over towns or provinces. These nobles may pledge loyalty to the crown but have autonomy in their territories, creating opportunities for alliances, betrayals, and rivalries.
For example, in my world of Zalonia, there are kings and queens who oversee their realms, but many cities and villages have their own councils of twelve members who handle local governance. Larger councils, such as those in major cities, sometimes influence smaller councils in nearby villages, creating a tiered system of authority.
Councils and Village Governance
In smaller communities or democratic regions, councils may be the governing body. Councils are ideal for settings where decisions are made collectively, reflecting the needs and values of each community. Councils can operate differently depending on their structure:
Local Councils: Small villages may have a council that deals with everyday issues, representing the people’s voices. In Zalonia, the village of Kredaria has a council of twelve that manages local affairs, although it is influenced by a larger council in the nearby city of Mhea. Kredaria’s council can address minor issues, but it consults Mhea’s council for larger decisions, such as law changes.
City Councils with Regional Influence: In larger cities, councils may extend their power beyond city borders, influencing nearby towns or villages. This setup could lead to power struggles between councils, especially if smaller communities resist city-imposed decisions.
Federations of Councils: Some fantasy settings use a federation of councils, where each town or city has its own governing body, and representatives meet for important regional decisions. This setup allows for diverse perspectives and fosters alliances.
Direct Democracy: In some societies, every individual may have a voice in every major decision. In Zalonia, the eagle-like medes operate under a direct democracy. All medes cast individual votes on issues, including sensitive topics like reproduction. Given their millennia-long lifespans, this policy prevents overpopulation by limiting reproduction to maintain balance.
3. Exploring Unique Alien Government Systems
Aliens bring a chance to create truly original government systems. An alien society could be governed in ways we would find unusual or even incomprehensible. Here are a few examples:
Social Collectivism: Some aliens may have a highly cooperative, collectivist society without centralized leadership. They could make decisions through consensus, valuing collective well-being over individual authority.
Technological Rule: Aliens might rely on advanced artificial intelligence or predictive technology to govern. This AI-driven system could analyze data to predict outcomes and make decisions, leaving minimal human or alien intervention in daily governance.
4. Alien Influence on the Governments of Your Fantasy World
Your alien species might secretly manipulate the local governments in your fantasy world, using them as proxies to control resources or populations. Alternatively, the aliens might offer guidance, teaching the locals new technologies or social systems to improve their governance. Here are some possibilities:
Secret Manipulation: The aliens could work behind the scenes, controlling the rulers of different kingdoms through mind control, technological bribes, or even magic. The rulers, believing the aliens to be gods, might carry out their will without question.
Beneficial Rule: Alternatively, the aliens could be genuinely benevolent, offering assistance to the local rulers. They might help to avert wars, heal the sick, or teach the locals advanced knowledge. These aliens could even be welcomed as wise rulers in some regions, gaining the trust of the people.
5. Government Dynamics and Laws: Handling Crime and Justice
How does your government handle crime and justice? The structure of your judicial system can add realism and intrigue to your world.
Court Hierarchies: Some governments have a tiered court system where smaller crimes are handled locally, while more severe offenses go to a higher court. For example, Zalonia has smaller courts for minor issues, but serious crimes are judged by the central council or even by the king.
Juries and Trials: If your world has a legal system with juries, consider who serves and how they’re selected. Are juries drawn from the nobility, or are they common people? Do certain cases call for a larger jury, or can serious cases lead to a gathering of wise leaders?
Cross-Jurisdictional Law: If your world has different kingdoms or territories, it’s possible that criminals fleeing one jurisdiction might be protected by another. This could create tension, with rulers threatening war over extradition rights or treaty breaches.
6. Magic and Governance: Are Leaders Required to be Magical?
In a fantasy world, magic may influence leadership. Perhaps rulers are required to possess magical abilities, or maybe magic is forbidden among the governing class.
Magic as a Requirement: In some societies, magical ability could be a prerequisite for leadership. This would make rulers both political and magical authorities, balancing both spheres of power.
Magic-Free Zones: In other cases, magic might be outlawed within government circles, with rulers relying solely on logic, tradition, or military power. Such a ban on magic could stem from past abuses of power, where magic led to tyranny or unrest.
Magicians as Defenders: Some worlds could establish an order of magicians specifically tasked with protecting the realm from external threats, including aliens or otherworldly creatures. These magicians could act as an elite force, blending politics and mystical guardianship.
Conclusion
Creating a government system in your fantasy or science fiction world brings richness and realism to the setting, providing context for social dynamics, conflict, and alliances. From alien manipulators to local councils, each type of government structure offers new story opportunities and adds depth to your world.
When building a government system, think about how it shapes the daily lives of your characters, the flow of power, and the potential conflicts that arise from these structures. Whether it’s a kingdom ruled by magic-wielding monarchs or a society influenced by alien overseers, a well-developed government will add depth and intrigue to your world. Have fun creating government systems in a science fantasy world.
Creating Life – By Ralph Ellefson
The Art of World Building Workbook – By Ralph Ellefson
Fantasy World Building: A Guide To Developing Mythic Worlds and Legendary Creatures – By Mark Nelson
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