Since the ancient Greece, western potentates were ruled by Kings aided in much cases by councils of experts, and in some cases (as the above I reported) the most expert had more power than the King. I suppose (but I don't really know) that in Nipponic Tradition this is unconceivable (sp?). Not many men with powers, but a rigid hierarchy with one-way chain of command: the generals/ministers report to the shogun who reports to the Emperor. In no way a general could report directly to the Emperor, unless the Shogun is dead: this fact would be equivalent to a full-size rebellion (and to a quite heretic act). Western history (and actual ways of thinking, I daresay) is full of these exemples: chains of command, hiearchies, powers are divided among many men and institutions. This ensures more disorder but much more flexibility...
I am sorry if my excursus displeased you.
Ilav
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