World-Building: Government

indigoscribes:

Okay, so remember in our first World-Building post where I listed about fifteen things that a fantasy writer should take into consideration when building their story’s world? I did promise you all that I would be making individual posts that focus more on every component. It’s easier this way so you can get a better idea.

Here is a list of questions you should ask yourself about the government of your story’s world. 

1. Who is their leader/ruler/king? 

2. How are they chosen? It can be by strength, birthright, or some kind of contest/election/competition. 

3. Who makes the laws? Is it the people, the ruler, or the ruler’s subordinates? Or do the people think that the laws are already set by the gods? 

4. Who enforces the laws? Is there a police force, patrol, or guards? 

5. What happens if a law is broken? Jail, stocks, death, eye-for-an-eye? Do the people who were hurt in the crime decide on the punishment? 

6. Are law breakers considered scum or hailed as rebels? 

7. How powerful is the ruler? Does the ruler humbly serve the people or are they a dictator? Is the ruler’s power limited by something else (think about the checks and balances system in America). 

8. How big of a role does government play for your people? If your people put God first above everything, then maybe the government isn’t as important in your story as God/gods. If your people do not break laws and are generally peaceful, maybe the government isn’t that important either. Think about these things before you ask yourself all the questions from 1-7. Maybe, depending on the relevance of government in your society, you don’t have to answer all these questions.