The Emperor's power is theoretically absoulute. In reality that is impossible. It is possibly impossible generally except in the most unusual situations. But the Imperium is a special case.
In the Imperium the Emperor has a power analogous to a typical European monarch of the Eighteenth century. While nominally absoulute he is bound up in customs and special interests. He cannot for instance simply order a noble executed because he was bored.
Moreover the size of the Imperium makes it impossible for him to personally manage the policy requirements for the entire Imperium. That is Traveller 101.
However as the actual policy is made by the dukes that brings up the question of what the Emperor does.
I would say that the Emperor is the "referee" watching the discussion and chooseing from the different policy options, perhaps adding his own touches.
Commander William Grant(Nobles p.5)describes the process well:
"There is an art to leading Vilani-you wait while your underlings hash things out, watch for the emerging consensus, and then issue corresponding dictates as if they were entirely your own idea. Everyone goes to work happy."
Furthermore the organization of the Imperium requires that the local policy makers have someone to coordinate them lest they make incompatable policies(or even act in deliberate competition to the detriment of the Imperial interests).
All this brings us to the function of the Moot. It has very few official powers. This is because it's unofficial powers are tremendous. This is where "the underlings hash things out" and in a sense they are the real makers of policy.
"In a sense..." But everything in the Imperial government is "in a sense". The Imperium is officially a near absoulute monarchy. In practice it is an oligarchy. But the chief powers of the ruling class are unwritten-as is the function of the Emperor.
In the Imperium the Emperor has a power analogous to a typical European monarch of the Eighteenth century. While nominally absoulute he is bound up in customs and special interests. He cannot for instance simply order a noble executed because he was bored.
Moreover the size of the Imperium makes it impossible for him to personally manage the policy requirements for the entire Imperium. That is Traveller 101.
However as the actual policy is made by the dukes that brings up the question of what the Emperor does.
I would say that the Emperor is the "referee" watching the discussion and chooseing from the different policy options, perhaps adding his own touches.
Commander William Grant(Nobles p.5)describes the process well:
"There is an art to leading Vilani-you wait while your underlings hash things out, watch for the emerging consensus, and then issue corresponding dictates as if they were entirely your own idea. Everyone goes to work happy."
Furthermore the organization of the Imperium requires that the local policy makers have someone to coordinate them lest they make incompatable policies(or even act in deliberate competition to the detriment of the Imperial interests).
All this brings us to the function of the Moot. It has very few official powers. This is because it's unofficial powers are tremendous. This is where "the underlings hash things out" and in a sense they are the real makers of policy.
"In a sense..." But everything in the Imperial government is "in a sense". The Imperium is officially a near absoulute monarchy. In practice it is an oligarchy. But the chief powers of the ruling class are unwritten-as is the function of the Emperor.