Given the recent upheaval in stellaris.
It would be useful in my opinion to have :
More federation options (common diplomacy, policies, defence, research and trade).
More non-geographic options :
Using religion and spreading it, for example you could use it to shape opinion or convincing believers to steal tech from others.
Labor unions who unite workers strike and negotiate better conditions.
Real corporations inside your empire who have stockholders political power fleets and hidden agenda.
Better internal politics :
Political institutions which you could manipulate, parties who organise strikes and revolts.
Assisted emergent narratives.
Making the empire design choices more important for example in oligarchy it would be a good idea to have actual oligarchs controlling in empire corporations and fighting for influence. Or in empire actual dynasties (though not in the CK manner)
Here are a few ideas for religion in stellaris:
Religion as an actual mechanic with each empire having it's own who grows and exchanges ideas with other religions.
Religion increased with empires with which you have a trade pact.
A religion design where there might be:
Perks who affect :
The audience (worker, specialist, ruler, egalitarian, pacifist…)
The effects which may be positive or negative at all times(less revolts, tech/resource stealing, opinion boosts…)
And quirks which are circumstantial for example :
Opposed to slavery ( will try and help slaves emigrate and give a unity boost in your empire).
City haters(will always try and occupy districts with a production boost).
These are simply ideas.
It would be useful in my opinion to have :
More federation options (common diplomacy, policies, defence, research and trade).
More non-geographic options :
Using religion and spreading it, for example you could use it to shape opinion or convincing believers to steal tech from others.
Labor unions who unite workers strike and negotiate better conditions.
Real corporations inside your empire who have stockholders political power fleets and hidden agenda.
Better internal politics :
Political institutions which you could manipulate, parties who organise strikes and revolts.
Assisted emergent narratives.
Making the empire design choices more important for example in oligarchy it would be a good idea to have actual oligarchs controlling in empire corporations and fighting for influence. Or in empire actual dynasties (though not in the CK manner)
Here are a few ideas for religion in stellaris:
Religion as an actual mechanic with each empire having it's own who grows and exchanges ideas with other religions.
Religion increased with empires with which you have a trade pact.
A religion design where there might be:
Perks who affect :
The audience (worker, specialist, ruler, egalitarian, pacifist…)
The effects which may be positive or negative at all times(less revolts, tech/resource stealing, opinion boosts…)
And quirks which are circumstantial for example :
Opposed to slavery ( will try and help slaves emigrate and give a unity boost in your empire).
City haters(will always try and occupy districts with a production boost).
These are simply ideas.