Kopan Autocracy

"I was under the impression the Emperor didn't answer to anyone but himself." "An understandable viewpoint given the nature of our society.... but that is incorrect. The Odestrian autocracy is far more limited and relaxed that outsiders might suspect.""

- Drakin Arkrunner to Panok Reggim

Kopan Autocracy also known as Limited Autocracy was the political ideology and standard method of governance during the Fourth Imperium until the death of Traxus Kopan III in 2 BBY. Kopan autocracy is identified by its adherence to the Odestrian Charter of Imperial Service which places supreme state authority within the hands of the Emperor and Autocrat of Odestria and her Imperium. In this regard, Kopan Autocracy is a form of constitutional absolutism in which the autocrat must adhere to the constitution lest their autocracy become "void."

Alternative Names

 * Fourth System
 * Odestrian Autocracy
 * Enlightened absolutism
 * Constitutional autocracy
 * Kopan despotism
 * Panasian Autocracy
 * The Order of Things

Features
The Kopan Emperor/Empress, a sovereign with absolute authority denoted by the Charter, was at the center of Kopan Autocracy. While official authority sat with the charter, the Emperor/Empress held direct sovereignty over the state, without the opportunity to change the charter unless an agreement was made with the ''OdestraRaad. ''The autocrat had the authority to entrust governorship to various places within Odestrian Space as governors were constitutionally an extension of the Emperor's authority. Similarly, the Emperor had the authority to dismiss the governor should they choose to take direct control over a planet. Autocracy remained as such a function as to benefit the entirety of the state which was socialized to enjoy strong, centralized leadership. Additionally, centralized authority had been present on Odestria with many advocates stating that the autocrat was to benefit the state and the people rather than themselves. Indeed, the almost worship-like relationship between people and state was such that the Imperium itself was held to a higher standard than the autocrat in charge.

Furthermore, unlike the Imperial monarchy following the Clone Wars, the Odestrian Autocracy never held itself as an inherently regal position. While the Silver Throne enjoyed its ceremonial jewels and the Emerald crown, this was simply symbolic. Indeed, there were some who stated that Palpatine's regime took inspiration, at least visually, from the nature of Odestrian Autocracy.