I had a geeky ass question posted on Facebook: Ponyville has a Mayor, mayors are usually elected though which would indicate Equestria is a democratic country however, Princess Celestia seems to be in charge, ruling as a monarch in place of her unseen King and Queen. What's up with that? Is Equestria actually ruled by an unseen Parliament, where the royal family has very limited/ specific powers/ authorities? Was the Mayor of Ponyville simply appointed by the Royalty? Is there some kind of secret, underground, anti-royal resistance movement among the inhabitants of Equestria?!