Nephilopolis seems like a sort of incredibly formal anarchy. Each department has obligations, but they all are also implied to have an equal and opposing department. The different departments then stake their claim on some part of the bureaucracy, claiming the right to enforce laws against homicide or the ability to license citizens to perform science. And so you get this huge overbearing government that doesn't actually have any person or group in charge. (knowing you it's probably an AI :) )

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voidfraction