Politics in the World of Avatar

Politics and government in the World of Avatar are based around several political systems.

There are four base types of political systems, each of which has a distinctive character that corresponds with the element of its respective nation. The Air Nomads had a theocracy led by four councils of monks or nuns, the Water Tribes have a tribal system led by chiefs, the Earth Kingdom has a confederate monarchy led by the Earth King, and the Fire Nation has an absolute monarchy led by the Fire Lord. There are, however, some exceptions.

The Avatar is meant to act independently of any nation (basically to the point of being neutral) regardless of origin, as a means of maintaining peace and order among the four nations.

Air Nomads


Government system: Theocracy

Head of state: No overall head of state

Current head of state: None

Territorial divisions: Four temples and an island

Capital: No overall capital

The Air Nomads had no overall government that made unified decisions before their genocide. Instead, there were four Councils of Elders that presided over the four temples respectively. The Council of Elders had no exact leadership or rule. They were just a group of wise airbending masters that made decisions regarding the temple and its people.

Southern Air Temple
Ruler: Council of Elders

Current leader: None

The Southern Air Temple had five monks on its Council of Elders, which made decisions on behalf of the temple. This council included High Monk Pasang, Tashi, and Gyatso.

Other air temples
Each air temple had its own council that operated exactly the same way as the Southern Air Temple's Council of Elders. It is known that Sister Iio was the Mother Superior and thus head of the council in the Eastern Air Temple.

Water Tribe


Government system: Tribal Chiefdom/Royal Chiefdom

Head of state: No overall head of state

Territorial divisions: Two tribes, plus Foggy Swamp

Capital: No overall capital

The Water Tribe does not have an overall leader. The chief presides over only their own division of the tribe.

Foggy Swamp Tribe
Little is known about the politics of the Foggy Swamp Tribe. However, Huu seemed to have some kind of authority, although his relationship with the rest of the tribe is fairly informal.

Northern Water Tribe
Title of leader: Chief

Most recent known leader: Unalaq

Capital: Northern Water Tribe City

Politics in the Northern Water Tribe are more complicated than in its southern sister tribe. There is one all-powerful leader, but there is a small council that advises him, most recently including the tribe's greatest waterbending master, Pakku. Politics can also be personal. For example, marrying the chief's daughter, the Tribal Princess, can be a significant step in a political career.

Southern Water Tribe
Title of leader: Chief

Most recent known leader: Hakoda

Capital: Hakoda's village

Decisions in the Southern Water Tribe are made exclusively by the current chief, and politics appear to be extremely simple, with only one person in power and all others completely loyal to that person. Unlike in the Northern Water Tribe, the chief's children, such as Katara and Sokka, are not viewed as royalty.

Earth Kingdom


Government system: Confederate Monarchy

Head of state: Earth King

Most recent known head of state: Kuei

Territorial divisions: Unknown number of provinces

Territorial divisions led by: Kings, mayors, others unknown

Capital: Ba Sing Se

Though the King of Ba Sing Se, titled as the Earth King, is the official overall leader of the Earth Kingdom, the country functions as a sort of confederation, with individual provinces and cities given a great deal of autonomy. Outside of the cities, the central government has little influence. Furthermore, the Earth Kingdom has no unified system of laws, with each region having its own legal code. These territories do, however, provide support and troops to the Earth King whenever necessary, and the military functions as a unified body.

Ba Sing Se
Title of leader: Earth King

Most recent known leader: 52nd Earth King, Kuei

The Earth King is the leader of the government of Ba Sing Se, and by extension the entire Earth Kingdom. It should be noted that the day-to-day affairs of the city are managed by the Grand Secretariat, who answers only to the Earth King.

Omashu
Title of leader: King

Most recent known leader: Bumi

Omashu, though part of the Earth Kingdom and therefore answerable to the Earth King in Ba Sing Se, has its own king and is relatively autonomous of the capital.

Fire Nation


Government system: Absolute Monarchy

Head of state: Fire Lord

Most recent known head of state: Fire Lord Zuko's daughter

Territorial divisions: Homeland and colonies

Territorial divisions led by: Governors

Capital: Fire Nation Capital

The Fire Lord's firstborn child is the Heir to the Fire Lord, usually referred to as the Crown Prince or the Crown Princess.

Sun Warriors
Government system: Tribal Chiefdom

Head of state: Chief

Most recent known head of state: Sun Warrior chief

Capital: Sun Warriors' ancient city

Although the Sun Warriors are firebenders, they are independent of the rest of the Fire Nation and are led by their own Chief.

United Republic of Nations


Government system: Unitary Presidential Republic

Head of state: President

Capital: Republic City

The United Republic of Nations was formerly led by a council, composed of one representative from each major nation, who represented the interest of their people. However, in the aftermath of the Anti-bending Revolution, it was decided that this political system was flawed because it did not sufficiently represent the interests of the majority. The United Republic Council was dissolved and an elected president was designated as the new head of state. The United Republic capital, Republic City, is divided into boroughs.

Avatar


Current Avatar: Korra

Current Avatar's nation of origin: Southern Water Tribe

The Avatar is independent of all government systems and acts in the interests of world balance, as well as the balance between the Earth and the Spirit World. As such, the Avatar acts as the international authority for peace, justice, and order.