What about this one then> It needs to be banged out guys to make any sense, but how about a feudal system? I saw someone was talking about having areas of lands named after them, sort of like provinces, (which, by the way, is in my humble opinion an awesome idea, good call whoever came up with it), so how about a departure from the standard alliance system?
How about a feudal system with the King at the very top, and then varying levels all the way down.?
Perhaps different areas/(lands) that people could vie to be king of?
Or a way of legally wresting power in an alliance, to make leaders over-throwable?
How about having one city making you a landowner, but two cities within a certain distance of eachother slightly more powerful in some way, with eventually "William sans mates" becoming King of an entire 30 x 30 area of the grid, and everyone having to pay tribute to him in order for him not to kick bums? Actually, no, that would just lead to more power for one individual.
Hang on, what about this...we could set up a system of parliamentary democracy, with an elected body to represent different jurisdictions...nah, it'll never work. We'd just end up invading travian for their oil!