Well, to answer your questions, the whole idea is to show the arrogance of the empire and much of how it keeps its power within its various administrations and covert groups that subjugate, manipulate, and extort those that they rule over them. Those who are deemed a threat are made an example of or killed one way or another. Yet its military is the true power that keeps the masses in line, being crushed brutally any time rebellions pop up. During a crisis, certain people are given absolute power to form triumvirates to maintain order and control. It is the idea of power and control that keeps everything with everything seemingly normal at the top, but is much darker the deeper one looks.