Among the Roman Republic's flaws was a great difficulty in integrating citizens outside of the city itself into the political process on a practical basis. This is compounded by the utter lack of input Rome's Italian allies had in decisions of peace or war, regardless of their commitment or loyalty. Could this have developed differently, and how so?
One possibility I've been considering is an early Republic left weaker relative to its allies or members of its league; Rome serving as first among equals rather than dominus over subjects. That's probably not a permanent arrangement, but if Rome's allies are after that point institutionally integrated, the setup could last.
As foreign policy of the Republic was handled by the Senate, where a reservoir of experience could be maintained, that might be the best point at which to link up with Rome's Italian allies. It could be as simple as those allied cities' highest magistrates being granted status as Senators in Rome, while possibly being restricted from some Roman offices or decisions. The Roman assemblies would remain exclusively Roman institutions, governing the City and its people more or less as before, though perhaps more insulated from some matters of foreign affairs than IOTL.
That leaves the city of Rome joined at the Senate with her allies, and confirming the separate nature of the city's governing institutions from that of the "greater republic". Such a federal model could have varying degrees of integration depending on how Rome establishes classes of citizenship, and the nature of Latin Rights ITTL.
In any event, this sort of Roman Republic has the potential to be far less centralized, and perhaps even slower or less willing to expand. Would the provincial model developed first in Sicily even apply? Or would there be simply an extrapolation of the existing Senate-led union?
Finally, can such an organization last? Rome's Italian allies OTL were fairly loyal and resistant to Hannibal, and in this case they have a more direct political stake in the system, but ITTL they'd be less dominated by Rome herself and possibly more independent-minded.
One thing that does seem likely is that this model of the Republic would resist or avoid a comparable Marian Reform, as that would erode the privileges and power of the non-Roman cities.
One possibility I've been considering is an early Republic left weaker relative to its allies or members of its league; Rome serving as first among equals rather than dominus over subjects. That's probably not a permanent arrangement, but if Rome's allies are after that point institutionally integrated, the setup could last.
As foreign policy of the Republic was handled by the Senate, where a reservoir of experience could be maintained, that might be the best point at which to link up with Rome's Italian allies. It could be as simple as those allied cities' highest magistrates being granted status as Senators in Rome, while possibly being restricted from some Roman offices or decisions. The Roman assemblies would remain exclusively Roman institutions, governing the City and its people more or less as before, though perhaps more insulated from some matters of foreign affairs than IOTL.
That leaves the city of Rome joined at the Senate with her allies, and confirming the separate nature of the city's governing institutions from that of the "greater republic". Such a federal model could have varying degrees of integration depending on how Rome establishes classes of citizenship, and the nature of Latin Rights ITTL.
In any event, this sort of Roman Republic has the potential to be far less centralized, and perhaps even slower or less willing to expand. Would the provincial model developed first in Sicily even apply? Or would there be simply an extrapolation of the existing Senate-led union?
Finally, can such an organization last? Rome's Italian allies OTL were fairly loyal and resistant to Hannibal, and in this case they have a more direct political stake in the system, but ITTL they'd be less dominated by Rome herself and possibly more independent-minded.
One thing that does seem likely is that this model of the Republic would resist or avoid a comparable Marian Reform, as that would erode the privileges and power of the non-Roman cities.