The following excerpt is from an alternate history novel. Can you critique the system of government described in the excerpt? What are the benefits? What problems might arise from this system? What could be improved? On a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being an authoritarian dictatorship and 10 being a direct democracy, how democratic is this system? It should be noted the current year is 1896.

"The people are known as: RUSSIANS.
Capital: St Petersburg (also called Petrograd), St Petersburg Guberniya
Largest city: Moscow, Moscow Guberniya (1.6 million)
Flag: A horizontal tricolour of white, blue and red. Following a flag reform in 1870, use of the standard flag is only permitted by imperial government authorities (including the military) while civilians are permitted to fly a version defaced with the blue St Andrew’s cross of the navy on a white disc.
Population: 155 million (approx. – Imperial census does not currently extend to all the reaches of the Empire)
Land area: ca. 1,400,000 lcf. Largest country in the world.
Economic ranking: Presently ranked 3rd in the world, having risen rapidly through the ranks as railway building continues to link the country together and facilitate the exploitation of resources – overtook Germany in 1890 and the UPSA in 1893.
Form of government: Theoretically an absolute monarchy with the Emperor (frequently, but technically incorrectly, referred to as the Tsar in English) wielding total power. In practice court intrigue has always undermined this aspiration and nineteenth century reforms have begun to introduce a more representative element. The Imperial Soviet in practice often wields power in the Emperor’s name as well as advising him. Its members theoretically chosen by the Emperor but in practice this involves horse-trading between the Emperor, various established aristocratic and corporate interests, and the increasingly important, indirectly-elected Imperial Duma (created by a reform of 1869 by Theodore IV following an earlier failed attempt by his brother Peter IV). The Emperor remains in power by successfully balancing these interests.
Foreign relations: Since the Russian Civil War, Russian foreign policy has in part been driven by the ‘Slavicist’ ideology which rejects foreign (especially German-speaking) influence and regards other Slavic (and to a lesser extent Orthodox) peoples as subordinate partners to be protected. However, the traditional Russian goal of seeking to reclaim Constantinople from the Ottomans has been thwarted by Wallachia becoming part of the Austria and then the Danubian Confederation, and the Euxine War of 1861-1863 did not represent significant progress towards this goal. Russian influence has expanded in the Caucasus and Tartary [Central Asia] where Persia represents the chief rival for influence. Finland, Courland and Lithuania are all effective vassals of Russia (ironically all non-Slavic), with some Slavicists expressing a desire for Russia to intervene in the affairs of Slavic and Orthodox peoples farther west. Russian interest in Africa has existed for a while, with direct control over Baravakhul in south-west Africa and Erythrea in the Horn of Africa, and the Abyssinian Empire an Orthodox ally of Russia (its Emperor choosing to regard the Russians as having a ‘temporary lease’ on Erythrea as a polite political fiction). Most significantly, however, the Far East has been a major area for Russian expansion for two centuries, with of late most of Japan being brought under Russian domination and Beiqing China subject to strong Russian influence. Corea has grown more independent however and is less subject to Russian influence than the past. Finally, Russo-Lithuanian Pacific Company ships have also planted colonies and vassals in north-western North America and the Pacific (in particular the Kingdom of Gavaji) but Russian attempts to gain sole influence over California have always been thwarted.
Military: The Russian Army modernised in a series of phases throughout the nineteenth century and is now considered first-tier on a good day though it is not homogenous and remains somewhat reliant on conscripts. Specialised troops are recruited from the far reaches of the Empire, including Yapon, as well as from vassal states. The Russian Navy is an oceanic [blue-water] force to be reckoned with but has struggled against the Ottomans’ own modernised fleet in Black Sea and other riverine operations. Unlike some nations the Russians have not created a separate aeroforce and instead operate their steerables and dromes as part of the Navy. The Russo-Lithuanian Pacific Company also continues to operate its own armed forces under the direct control of the Director (who in practice is now always also the Governor-General of Yapon).
Current head of state: Emperor Peter V (House of Romanov) (since 1885)
Current head of government: Knyaz Fyodor Pavlovich Gagarin (Chairman of the Imperial Soviet)."