Talk:Castle of Friendship/@comment-406947-20150908103033/@comment-10390252-20151117094329

@Emmette,

To me, the problem comes from a misunderstanding of the broader political nature of Equestria. It is not a unitary state. It is, rather, a confederation of semi-autonomous city-states. The Princesses do not directly rule over all of Equestria (although I suspect they are the sovereigns of the Canterlot Royal City-State) but rather provide guidence and broader policy direction to the local leadership. This would explain the absence of anything like a national Congress; there isn't a 'nation' at that level.

This was implied heavily in Equestria Games and broadly confirmed in Princess Spike. Because of this, Ponyville was always a distinct region with its own government, although it is ultimately answerable to the Princesses of the Sun and Moon at a political and possibly spiritual level.

What happened when Princess Twilight was made a royal Princess, it simply changed the executive level of Ponyville's regional government from a republic to a constitutional monarchy. Everything indicates that all real power remains in Mayor Mare's hooves, although I suspect that Twilight may find herself with a considerable ceremonial role at major events like The Running of hte Leaves, Winter Wrap-Up, Hearth-Warming Day and the like.