Politically, Mayans were never really a united empire, their unity relying on ideologies and worldviews. In fact, the Mayan civilization was composed of many scattered city states, who were connected through trade and alliances. Rulers started off as Chiefs but later they adapted a more centralized form of governing. Eventually, some of the states were ruled by individuals and others by councils of nobles. Each state had a military commander who called for strategy and troops, a high priest who led the hierarchy of priests, and an overseer. Human sacrifice was extremely common as a political and religious ritual.

Politics