The feature is the rule of law. Unlike people, legislature cannot be affected by passion and if law rules then everyone is equal in the eyes of law. If a man rules and has absolute power, they can be affected by various things that might make them abuse their power, and law cannot abuse power on its own.
The Mayans met their demise when the Spanish conquered the Mayan with the combination of superior technology and the introduction of foreign diseases. Foreign diseases such as smallpox weakened populations and were thus easier to subdue.
I believe it is to, cooperate on law enforcement
After the British took control of Florida they captured Savannah Georgia