Editing Imperial Bureaucracy

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The [[Imperial Bureaucracy]] of the [[Third Imperium]] is the group of governing bodies that administers the needs of the Imperium and is divided into three parts:
# [[Imperial Bureaucracy#Civil Ministries of the Imperium|Civil Ministries of the Imperium]] 
# [[Imperial Bureaucracy#Defense Ministry of the Imperium|Defense Ministry of the Imperium]] 
# [[Imperial Bureaucracy#Offices of the Emperor|Offices of the Emperor]]

== Description ==
The [[Imperial Bureaucracy]] is the bones and body of the [[Third Imperium]]. While the [[Emperor]], [[Moot]], and the [[Ministry of Justice]] form the eyes and mind of the corpus. While those high [[institution]]s and leaders legislate and adjudicate in important ways, the day-to-day running of the Imperium comes from local nobles and bureaucrats who have sworn loyalty and service to the Imperium through its figurehead of the [[Emperor]]. In a very practical way, the ''Imperial Bureaucracy'' is the most visible part of the [[culture]] of the Imperium. 
* A. The largest part is the civil ministries which support the inner workings of the {{Imperium}} and is overseen by [[Imperial Nobility|High nobles]]. 
* B. The second part is the [[Ministry of Defense]] which oversees and is run by, the Imperial armed forces through appointed nobles and officials. 
* C. The third and smallest part is the various ''Imperial Offices'', which report directly to the [[Emperor]]. They serve the Emperor's needs and function as a personal office, cabinet, and advisory. 
 
=== Bureaucracy Organization ===
The three primary groupings of the ''Imperial Bureaucracy'' each perform specialized tasks:
# '''Civil Ministries of the Imperium:'''  ([[Ministry of State]] and [[Ministry of Justice]], [[Ministry of Commerce]] and [[Ministry of Information and Communication]] & [[Ministry of Science]] and [[Ministry of Technology]]: Administrative needs such as justice, commerce, communication, science, etc.)
# '''Defense Ministry of the Imperium:'''  ([[Ministry of Defense]]: Military needs such as the defense of the realm and maintenance of the starways)
# '''Imperial Palace:''' ([[Imperial Bureaucracy#Offices of the Emperor|Offices of the Emperor]]: Needs of the Emperor such as security, ceremonial functions, lodgings, travel, etc.)

=== Civil Ministries of the Imperium ===
The civil ministries are overseen by the ''[[Imperial Nobility]]'', it is the duty of the high nobility to serve as the minister and director of each of the ministries within their demesne. The civil ministries within the Imperium are:

==== State & Justice Ministries ==== 
* [[Ministry of Colonization]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}}: Selects worlds for colonization and expansion of the Imperium. 
** Imperial [[Colonial Office]] (ICO)
** Imperial [[Ministry of Assimilation]]  
* [[Ministry of Justice]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=64|citeName= Nobles64}} (MOJ): Exercises authority over violations of Imperial law. 
** Imperial Inquisitorial Branch
** Imperial Penal System
** [[Justice Special Branch]] ([[JSB]]){{Page cite|name=High Passage 1|page=32-39}}
** Sector Court Branches{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=67-68|citeName= Nobles6768}}
* [[Imperial Moot]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=72|citeName= Nobles72}}
** Capital Branch Authority
** Core Sectors Branch Authority
** Frontier Sectors Branch Authority
* [[Ministry of State]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=64|citeName= Nobles64}}: Maintains diplomatic relations and executive functions. 
** Imperial Board of Policy{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=64|citeName= Nobles64}} 
** Imperial Diplomatic Corps (Foreign Branch){{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}}  
*** Imperial Border Office 
** Imperial Diplomatic Corps (Domestic Branch){{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}}
*** Imperial Intersectorial Diplomatic Office
*** [[Imperial Quarantine Agency]] 
**** Office of Appeals 
**** Office of Personnel 
**** Office of Research 
**** Office of Training 
** Intelligence Division{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}} 
*** Imperial Bureau of Investigations

==== Commerce & Communications Ministries ==== 
* [[Ministry of Commerce]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}}: Responsible for maintaining trade and commerce.
** [[Imperial Customs Authority]]
** [[Imperial Shipping Commission]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}} ([[ISC]])
** [[Imperial Surplus Service]]{{Page cite|name=Central Supply Catalog|page=5|citeName= T4CSC5}} ([[ISS]])
** [[Imperial Travel Assistance Bureau]]
** [[Starport Authority|Imperial Starport Authority]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=66|citeName= Nobles66}} ([[SPA]]) 
** [[Trading Standards Bureau]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}} ([[TSB]]) 
*** [[Trade Station]] Commission
** [[Imperial Treasury]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}} (ITY)
*** [[Imperial Bank]]
*** [[Office of the Mint]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}} ([[Imperial Currency]])
*** [[The Monetary Board of the Treasury|Monetary Board]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}} 
* [[Ministry of Information and Communication]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=66|citeName= Nobles66}}: Responsible for communications, exploration, records, and education.
** [[Imperial Archives]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=66|citeName= Nobles66}}: (Records & History)
** Imperial Border Patrol
** [[Imperial Interstellar Scout Service]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=66|citeName= Nobles66}} ([[IISS]]): (Exploration, [[Astrography]], Intelligence, [[Express Boat Network]], etc.) 
*** Imperial Courier Service 
**** Express Office 
*** Strategic Planning Office 
*** Imperial Xenosociology Department 
** [[Office of Education & Inculcation]]: Maintains [[Educational Institutes]], the [[Imperial Interstellar Library]] ("The Encyclopedia"), and (Regulation & Prevention of Psionics). 
** [[Office of Information]]

==== Science & Technologies Ministries ====
* [[Ministry of Conservation]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=66|citeName= Nobles66}}: Oversight and preservation of non-renewable resources. 
** Department of Endangered Creatures
** Department of Proto-sophont Preservation
** Department of Reserve Worlds
** Department of Resource Management
** Imperial Office of Interstellar Ecology
** Imperial [[Terraforming Bureau]] AKA Imperial Terraformation Bureau{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=66|citeName= Nobles66}}
* [[Ministry of Health]]
* [[Ministry of Science]]: Oversight of scientific research and the establishment of measurement standards within the [[Third Imperium]].
** Department of Metempsychosis 
** [[Ministry of Cloning]]
** [[Ministry of Genetics]]
** Imperial Weights & Measures Bureau
** [[Travellers' Naval Architecture Society]] ([[TNAS]])
* [[Ministry of Technology]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=66|citeName= Nobles66}}: Oversight of technological advancement and research stations.
** Imperial Commission on Technological Level Standardization
** [[Ministry of Cybernetics]]
** [[Ministry of Robotics]]

=== Defence Ministry of the Imperium ===
The Minister, also known as the [[High Imperial Marshal]], is in charge of advising the [[Emperor]] on military affairs, evaluating the general state of the Imperial military, and supervising long-term military planning, research, and development. The [[Minister of Defence]] is appointed by the [[Emperor]] and reports directly to him. 

* Imperial [[Defence Ministry of the Imperium|Ministry of Defense]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=63|citeName= Nobles63}}
** '''[[Imperial High Command]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=63|citeName= Nobles63}} (Office of Military Command for the [[Unified Forces of the Imperium]]):''' The [[Imperial High Command]], consisting of the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]] and the [[Lord Marshal of the Unified Armies]], report directly to the [[Emperor]]. The role of the [[Imperial High Command]] is to set military policy and perform strategic planning. {{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=63|citeName= Nobles63}}
*** Office of Military Administration
**** [[High Imperial Marshal]] ([[Minister of Defence]]).
**** [[Admiralty Board|Admiralty Command]] (Interstellar Forces)
**** [[General Staff of the Unified Armies|Generalship Command]] (Planetary Forces)
*** Office of the Commando (Special Forces)
**** [[Protected Forces]] (ProFors)
**** [[Rapid Interface Forces]] (RIF)
**** [[Sylean Rangers]]
*** Office of Communications (News & Public Relations)
**** Imperial Pax Department
***** Imperial Communications Authority
**** Imperial War Department 
***** High Imperial Censor
*** Office of Logistics 
**** Imperial Depot Stewardship 
**** Imperial Procurement Service 
**** Imperial Ready Reserve Fleet
**** Imperial Surplus Service 
**** Office of Technology Standardization
** '''[[Admiralty]] ([[Office of the Navy]]):'''{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=63|citeName= Nobles63}} The Naval office of the [[Defence Ministry of the Imperium|Ministry of Defense]], also know as the [[Admiralty]], is in charge of the [[Imperial Navy]]. The [[Office of the Navy|Naval office]] is run by the [[First Lord of the Admiralty]], who sits on the [[Admiralty Board]].
*** '''[[Imperial Navy]]''' 
**** '''[[Imperial Marines]]:'''{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=63|citeName= Nobles63}} The [[Marshal-Commandant of the Corps]], who commands  the [[Imperial Marines]], is part of the [[Admiralty]]. The Commandant advises the [[Imperial High Command]] and sits on the [[Admiralty Board]].
*** '''Sector Navies'''
**** Forces of the [[Imperial Nobility]] under feudal obligation.
** '''[[General Staff of the Unified Armies|Unified Armies  Command]] ([[General Staff of the Unified Armies|Office of the Army]]):''' The [[Lord Marshal of the Unified Armies]] along with the [[General Staff of the Unified Armies]] manages the [[Imperial Army]]. 
*** '''[[Imperial Army]]'''{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=63|citeName= Nobles63}}
**** '''[[Ground Force Command]]''' (GFC)
**** '''[[Close Orbit and Airspace Control Command]]''' (COACC)
**** '''[[Nautical Force Command]]''' (NFC)
*** '''Sector Armies'''
**** Forces of the [[Imperial Nobility]] under feudal obligation.

=== Offices of the Emperor ===
These offices are part of the [[Emperor]]'s staff and oversee various aspects of the [[Third Imperium]] that do not belong to the other ministries. 

==== Imperial Household ====
* [[Office of the Emperor]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=55|citeName= Nobles55}}: The personal staff to the Emperor and members of the Imperial family.
** [[Office of News & Public Relations]]: The propaganda arm of the Imperial government.
** [[Reservations Office]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=56|citeName= Nobles56}}: Manages the Emperor's holdings outside of the Imperial palace. 
* [[Office of Security]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=56|citeName= Nobles56}}: Provides the security to the Emperor, the Imperial family, and the Palace.
** [[Imperial Bureau of Internal Security]] ([[IBIS]])
** [[Imperial Guard]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=55|citeName= Nobles55}}: An elite military force assigned directly to service of the Emperor.
* [[Office of the Palace]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=54-56|citeName= Nobles5456}}: The staff who run the [[Imperial Palace]]. 
* [[Office of Personal Transportation]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=56|citeName= Nobles56}} ([[OPT]]): Manages the spacecraft and other transport systems available to the Emperor and High Nobility.

==== Secondary Service Offices ====
* [[Office of Chronology & Temporal Periodization]]
** [[Office of Calendar Compliance]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}}: Maintains the uniform use and standards for time and other measurements.
** Office of Interstellar Timekeeping: TBD
* Office of Heraldry 
** [[Imperial Division of Heraldry]]: Concerned with the propriety of the [[Imperial Nobility]], Orders, Awards, and all matters related. 
** Imperial Registry of Nobility: This office tracks the families of all current Imperial nobles with Imperial sanction. That includes the [[Noble House]]s.
** Imperial Registry of Non-native Nobility: This office tracks all of the non-Imperial nobles, usually planetary nobility predating Imperial re-contact although [[Imperial Clan]]s are also tracked.
* Office of Imperial Concerns
** [[Ancients Foundation]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=56|citeName= Nobles56}}: Concerned with the Imperial knowledge of the [[Ancients]]. Regulates sales and purchase of [[Ancients]] [[artifact]]s. This office coordinates the exo-archaeology of known sites.
** [[Precursor Foundation]]: While the [[Ancients]] are the best known [[precursor]] race, evidence exists of contemporaries, other [[precursor]] races with access to advanced or exotic [[technologies]]. This office researches the exploration of sites not believed to involve the Ancients.

===Closed Offices===
* [[Office of Standards]]{{Page cite|name=Nobles|page=65|citeName= Nobles65}}
* [[Bureau of Interstellar Affairs]]{{Page cite|name=Milieu 0|page=51|citeName= M051}}

== History ==
When [[Cleon Zhunastu|Cleon]] founded the Imperium, there were five primary bureaucratic agencies. Over the years these agencies have grown, split, intermingled, and rejoined. The bureaucracy at any one point in time can be wildly disparate. For instance, the [[Imperial Quarantine Agency]] was once a stand-alone branch of the [[government]], but it was subsumed into other parts of the Imperial Bureaucracy when [[technology]] changed. The Quarantine's many roles were distributed to the Navy, Scouts, and others. 

=== Bureaucratic Origin ===
The original bureaucracy of the [[Third Imperium]] was based upon the governmental [[institution]]s of the [[Sylean Federation]] and the corporate structure of [[Zhunastu Industries]]. [[Cleon I]] cleverly blended the two into a unified institution designed to handle the rulership of a people and the direction of a mercantile empire.
* Later [[Emperor]]s adapted these bureaucratic structures to the needs of their times. After the First [[Civil War]], Empress [[Arbellatra]] decreed that the [[institution]]s be given further authority to continue running even when an [[Emperor]] might be inept or infirm... Or the [[Moot]] might be locked into indecision. 
* In a very real way, the ''Imperial Bureaucracy'' is the [[Third Imperium]].

=== Grand Dukes ===
[[Grand Duke]]s were a part of the pre-foundational state of the Third Imperium, the [[Sylean Federation]]. They had vast stated power and fiefs in excess of the current ducal title. The title was later stricken from the [[Nobility List]]s. The role that Grand Dukes once played has now been replaced by [[Archduke]]s.

=== Domain System & Archduchies ===
During the period of the [[Pacification Campaigns]] in [[76]], the [[Emperor]] [[Artemsus]] subsequently created a new form of [[Archduke]] when he initially established the original six nominal [[Domain|Domains]] of the [[Third Imperium|Imperium]], each of which has an [[Archduke]] exercising overall control of his/her respective [[Domain]], and acting as an intermediary between the [[Emperor]] and the other levels of [[Imperial Nobility|nobility]] (except for the [[Domain of Sylea]], where the [[Emperor]] himself acted as the titular [[Archduke]]).  The intended goal of these new [[Domain]]s and their associated [[Archduke]]s was to give each [[Archduke]] the responsibility for the prosecution of the "pacification" and integration of new systems into the [[Third Imperium]] within the defined boundaries of the given [[Domain]] by whatever means were most expedient.  

By the late 6th century, the feudal confederation of the [[Third Imperium]] had devolved into a state of [[Civil War]] under the [[Emperors of the Flag]] over what were largely instances of petty ducal and archducal infighting by squabbling [[duke]]s. Certain problems were direct antecedent causes of the [[Civil War]] of course, but the core issue of preventing the splintering and secession of worlds and regions from the [[Third Imperium]] had remained a problem of the [[Emperor]]s since its founding.  

=== Arbellatrian Reforms ===
In response to and as a result of the struggles of the Imperial [[Civil War]], the power and authority of the [[Archduke]]s within their [[Domain]]s was gradually diminished by the [[Emperor|Empress]] [[Arbellatra]] after the conclusion of the [[Civil War]], at which time the [[Domain]] level within the bureaucracy was restructured and became largely bypassed.  The titles of [[Archduke]]s who had been either deposed for disloyalty or who had died without a clear heir were allowed to become extinct, resulting in a situation after the [[Civil War]] in which most of the [[Domain]]s of the [[Imperium]] did not have an appointed [[Archduke]]. 

=== Strephonian Reforms ===
In more recent times, and in order to stave off the perceived gradual fracturing of the [[Imperium]] into local regional loyalties, the [[Emperor]] [[Strephon]] has been once again expanding the role of [[Archduke]]s and the [[Domain]] level of the Imperial bureaucracy, appointing new [[Archduke]]s to previously vacant titles.

=== Imperial Governance & Long-term Stability ===
One of the far-reaching goals of several of the [[Emperor]]s of the [[Third Imperium]] has been to explore and achieve ''[[aeonic stability]]'', or the establishment of a perpetual system of stability and prosperity, a system that preserves and promotes a peaceful and vigorous [[civilization]] without inhibiting it. After studying the eventual failures of the [[First Imperium]] and the [[Second Imperium]], it has become apparent that the current model of [[civilization]] has its limits and the social constructs of [[sophont]]dom rise and fall with frightening regularity. The very existence of the Imperial Bureaucracy is rumored to be part of this program to achieve ''aeonic stability''.

====Imperial Longevity Programs====
A number of programs have been launched in the over a millennium of the [[Third Imperium]]'s existence including the following:
# Exploration of and experimentation with  [[Psychohistory]]
# Deliberate programs of [[sophont]] species inclusion and diversity 
# A program to establish [[Imperial Cultural Region]]s and establish diversity and tolerance of thought 
# A program to establish [[Imperial Autonomous Region]]s and greater self-rule
# Gradual improvements to the [[Imperial Bureaucracy]] to create continuity,  flexibility, and stability of governance
# The rumored existence of a special agent program to expand the reach of the [[Emperor]]
# A failsafe program to safeguard [[civilization]] in the case of an apocalyptic event or a second [[Long Night]]

== See also ==
{{Referral-Tree-Third-Imperium}}

== Sources ==
{{Advanced}}
{{Sources
|{{CT}} [[High Passage 1]] in Article: Justice Special Branch by [[Craig Johnson]]
|{{CT}} [[High Passage 2]] 
|Dragon #35 in Article [[IBIS]] ([[Imperial Bureau of Internal Security]]) by [[Kenneth Burke]]
|[[GURPS Traveller: Nobles]]
|[[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
|Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
}}


[[Category: Imperial]]
[[Category: GT]]
[[Category: Imperial Office of State]]
{{LE|Institution}}