Of course, a lot of this is player driven. Most realms I have been in over the last few years seemed to be obsessed with relying on a small, trusted, inner circle for very valid in character reasons.
It's all player driven! I think sometimes people forget that realms are really a reflection of their rulers and their histories. A realm fighting for its survival against multiple enemies, spies and assassins, is going to be a lot more paranoid and dark than a realm that is at peace and harmony with all of its neighbors. A friendly ruler will run a friendly realm. An isolated recluse of a ruler will not be running as friendly of a realm.
