Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-71.91.107.58-20140401194503/@comment-24261859-20140403073925

Smoking.Chimp wrote: Dare I suggest that the Romans had already developed the idea of universal suffrage some 2000 years before it was first tabled in a non-Roman parliament. If we consider the Empire of Tamriel to be a comparable state then, it is quite conceivable that the necessary conversion from a monarchy to a republic would also result in a mix of states which are either federated within the republic or confederated to the republic as independent territories. I think that's happened before too.

The struggle against people who would oppose the new system could be a key feature and I think the Thalmor would try to swing things away from the new reforms with lots of cloak and dagger action. This could make for a very interesting episode - and would set the stage for very satisfying, "Sorry, but this treaty is between you and the Empire, which no longer exists." conclusion. :^)

I've always been fond of the Empire, but I think it would make a better Republic  :^) A republic would be cool, but given the current political climate in Tamriel, any unified continent-wide government would not be something I'd expect many provinces to support given the strong "independence" culture developing in many locations. Morrowind, Hammerfell, Skyrim, and Black Marsh have all recently gained or fought for independence, and to join together in a Republic, even one with universal enfranchisement, would not be a popular move. I feel like the leaders of the various countries would rather retain total sovereignty than deal with the difficulties and issues of joining together. (In addition to the obvious logistical problems, there would be the Thalmor issue you mention. Interestingly, that conclusion was one that America tried on France after the Revolution--"Listen, we promised to pay you guys for your help, but now that the old government doesn't exist anymore, we don't have to." Somehow, I don't think that the Thalmor would be ones to accept such a claim.