One thing aplenty in the world of Eve is variety. The rule of plenty applies to the Governments of Eve as well. There are just 5 Empires in Eve, but within those five, you will find all types of governments our world has seen from the outset.
Nothing solid is known about the Jovian style fo government, but the rest of the races display a varied style of government, and values. The primitive tribal system of warlords is evident in the governing methods of the Minmatars. A corporate government, run by large business corps, providing a consumer based economy is the way of life for the Caldari people. Similarly, the Gallenteans practice democracy, which for them, is the all end all in terms of freedom. Lastly, there is the seemingly 'dictatorial tyranny' of a royal linage which can be seen in the presence of the Amarr Emperor and his Heirs.
Perhaps, the most important thing a player can remember about a government styles in Eve is the fact that, like the real world, you can't judge the people in black and white. The grey areas count as well. The people in all the nations differ, the things that are abhorrent to a Gallentean about the Ammarians may not be as bad as they seem to them if they judge them with their own set of rules. The races are not meant to be evil or good in totality, all races and their governing styles have their plus points. The world of Eve, in this respect, is pretty much like the real world, the misunderstood preconceived notions about another nation's beliefs drive the animosity between the nations!
The Eve governments have matured enough to realize the need for the maintenance of government level contact. The inter-stellar transports ensure that the peoples of all the nations come into contact with each other on a regular basis. In such a scenario the diplomatic protocols become all the more important for them to avert the risk of an inter-stellar war in Eve.
Though players don't directly control the government activities, the world of Eve is constantly changing according to the actions of the people in Eve. The people do affect the government policies and the game is better off because of that fact.
