Emperor Qin wrote:
The difference from all these examples is that the Fire Sages are still very influential on the FN politics, although it's the Fire Lord who rules the country now. Therefore it isn't a complete theocracy like it was before, but still have heavy influences from that period. They've become something like a second ruling body, to assist the Fire Lord's rule and possibly carry on rites and ceremonies (FN, just like Imperial China really looks a very, very cerimonial place and culture)
They were? Are you talking about the ones in Roku's temple? Their influence seemed to have been waning after Roku's death and the war's long duration. They were also arrested by Zhao?
If anything, there seemed to be a period during ATLA and the war with Shoguns (the earth kingdom generals) ruling over their respective areas. They were not controlling the capital directly, as that was more the Dai Li's area, but the other 90%+ish of the country would have been theirs.