[Baron Munchausen]

A decent idea, but this only scratches the surface of 'realism' to be added to the SE treatment of resources and trade. Blockaded planets ought to only have locally available resources (produced on place) for production purposes, for example. Oh, and living beings (population) need to actually use FOOD (organics) -- unless they are mechanoids, and then they should use minerals. At the least we need the option to turn this on in the game.

Trade between empires should require direct contact (a directly adjacent system) or a special treaty ('right of passage') from the intervening empire(s).

The whole treaty system needs to be revised, of course. No more of this rigid scale of non-aggression, trade, trade & research, etc. Each options should be completely independent. If I want ONLY to trade intelligence points with someone but NOT grant them the right to send ships running all over my territory I ought to be able to do this.