Which is part of what makes the OTU resemble the Roman Empire and - to a somewhat lesser extent - the 17-19th century British one. Once the real world starts getting relatively fast communications, the analogies start to break down. And once we get to the point where the presumptive heir to power can exchange tweets with his least follower . . . hmmm . . . then we're talking about a Vargr state, not the Imperium.