What are the benefits and downsides of this system? This is obviously from Star Wars. Just pretend the Jedi are the clergy or religious caste of society.

"Governmental changes between the New Republic and the Galactic Alliance included a new constitution, a stronger judicial branch, and a better system of checks and balances that curbed the power that had been almost exclusively in the hands of the Senate. The new federalism properly defined the roles between the government and its member worlds.

The Galactic Alliance government was led by a Chief of State and a High Council that consisted of Jedi, senators, and members of the Alliance's military and governmental leadership. The Jedi later withdrew from the High Council in favor of forming their own leadership body; the Jedi High Council. As such, the Alliance created an Advisory Council to replace the High Council.

The new alliance was a federal republic, properly defining the roles of both the federal government and the member worlds and states. A stronger federal system was the largest change in the overall structure of the government following the dissolution of the New Republic.

The Alliance, like the New Republic before it, was headed by the Chief of State. The Chief of State was elected by receiving a majority of votes in the Alliance Senate. The Chief of State was also the President of the Senate, again following the similar structure of the old New Republic system. A major difference between the two systems was that the Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance seemed to possess more executive powers, designed to curb the power of the legislature. This form of checks and balances was one of the major differences that set the new government apart from the old. The Chief of State was aided by both a High Council and an Advisory Council, which consist of the heads of the various governmental, military, and intelligence departments.

After the overthrow of Natasi Daala, the executive branch was altered to be led by a Triumvirate, aided by a powerful bureaucracy. The Triumvirate surrendered to the Empire after the Battle of Caamas. The Empire claimed Coruscant as its own new seat of government, but the Triumvirate and the bureaucracy were allowed to remain as vassal governors of the remains of Alliance space.

The main legislative body of the Galactic Alliance was the Senate. The Senate was composed of representatives from all member worlds and states that compose the new government. The powers of the Senate were curbed under the new constitution by a series of checks and balances, namely increasing the powers of both the executive and the judiciary. Despite these changes, the Senate remained a powerful and important part of the Alliance government. Some corruption had begun to creep back into the Senate following the end of the war against the Yuuzhan Vong, but the majority of the senators remained committed and loyal to the Alliance.

The judicial branch of the Alliance government received the greatest increase of power under the new Alliance constitution. The increase of judicial oversight and power was designed to help curb any legislative abuse or corruption, which was becoming increasingly common during the last years of the New Republic."