As I was thinking about one of the weaknesses of the Roman Republic, the huge need for appointed positions (who often had near-absolute power in their provinces) such as Pro-Consuls or Pro-Praetors, I had an idea: what if the Roman Republic had allowed Provinces to elect their own governments up to the Praetor (which by the late republic had become an essentially judicial position) position, leaving the Senate in Rome the top authority in the Empire, the Consuls in Rome the top magistrate in the Empire, and having the Senate appoint Pro-Consuls, who would still have significant power in the provinces but not to the abusive levels of OTL.
What would have been the consequences? Would such an empire have been better suited to survive?
What would have been the consequences? Would such an empire have been better suited to survive?