Here is an essay submission by Student Brom Silverfire, intended for the currently non-existent Political Studies Department, and also intended as Brom's application for the deanship of said department:

The Proper Role of a Ruler

A Ruler holds a very powerful, and yet very tenable position within their realm and society as a whole. The Ruler is the one noble within a realm to which all other nobles look for leadership, and to which other realms look to for diplomacy and inter-realm relations. However, this large amount of power comes with great responsibility. While the responsibilities and powers of a ruler differ, by the government type which they lead, all rulers face similar issues and problems. This essay hopes to address a few key issues which a ruler must deal with.

The Ruler as a Leader

It is the responsibility of a ruler to be the head of the government of their realm. In this position a ruler, must make decisions concerning the future prosperity of the realm, both domestically and foreign.

From a domestic standpoint, a Ruler likely works with a ruling council, Senate, or trusted friends, depending on the government type, in order to choose goals for a realm's expansion, growth, and continued prosperity. Issues such as food management, army management, and the overseeing of laws are usually best delegated to fellow government positions, and the ruler should then be sure that each government position does their job, and reflects well upon the ruler themselves.

From a foreign standpoint, a Ruler must meet with foreign Rulers and ambassadors to make and direct diplomacy. It is the responsibility of a ruler to maintain good relations with foreign realms that may be a threat to the safety of their realm, and to be sure that allies are made where enemies cannot be afforded. When war is necessary, it is the responsibility of a ruler to decide who and when to go to war with a foreign realm. Likewise, with peace, a ruler must decide when it is necessary or perhaps beneficial to make peace. The writing of treaties can be a task designated to an ambassador, but a wise Ruler would oversee all negotiations, if not control them, themselves as it will be their signature which makes a treaty binding. It is important to note though, that is governments that require more responsiveness to the people(such as Republics or Democracies), that the role of a Ruler in foreign matters is best to be a well-informed middle man, letting their ruling council/senate make the decisions, so that anything that turns bad will not reflect as much on the ruler.

The Ruler as a Mediator

While the ruler has a great responsibility to lead their realm in making decisions, they are also the prime representative of their realm, and thus should play a pivotal role in mediating arguments within their realm. While a Judge likely has end-all determination on dealing with problems within a realm, the Ruler has a large amount of say in how things actually happen. A wise Ruler will intervene when problems arise, to help resolve issues before they become problematic enough for a judge to take notice. If done correctly, a ruler can gain both re-known and prestige for being a problem solver and caring enough to help make sure everything is running smoothly within a realm.

I must preach caution here though! It is important for a ruler to be seen only in a positive light for any intervening action. A wise ruler should only intervene in problem situations, if they might cause a problem that would in any way threaten the realm or the ruler themselves. A ruler should not intervene in useless disputes between two nobles which could easily be settled by a duel. In addition, an intervening ruler should be sure that upon intervention, they stress that they are only doing so, to preserve the sanctity and prosperity of their realm. By doing so, they put themselves in a positive light, and both parties can resolve their problem without loss of face.

The Ruler as a Servant

Although this is the last section of this article, it is by far the most important. Should a ruler forget their role as a servant, they are likely to cease being ruler. A ruler's primary responsibility is to serve the nobles which they lead. Regardless of the government type, without serving their nobles, a Ruler risks the loss of the election, or perhaps revolt and rebellion. It is therefore in the best interest of a ruler to support the best interests of his/her nobles.

This can consist of anything from greeting new nobles, and mentoring them in their first days within the realm, to helping make sure that a lord isn't being mistreated by their duke. Or perhaps even making sure that their nobles are happy and content with the growth and shaping of the realm. Above all, a ruler must make sure that they appease those who have power inherit to their positions as well. Dukes, wield perhaps the most direct power within a realm, more so than even a ruler, as a ruler derives its power from the support of the nobles and Dukes. Alienate a Duke, and a ruler alienates not only the duke, but his lords and knights as well. A Ruler must therefore, maintain and tread carefully in their tenuous position, as it only takes a single powerful Duke to sway the hearts and minds of the people against an unjust ruler.

Summary

In conclusion, the proper role of a ruler is to be the balancing act of many diverse responsibilities and interests. They must look to the growth and prosperity of their realm both domestically and foreign, as well as mediating issues within their realm. Above all else however, a Ruler must cater to their nobles in order to appease those for which they derive their power. Without the support of their nobles, not even a tyrant can rule for long.