I'm not so sure about the appointment part. From what I understand, the Hall has a great deal of influence over this process. Besides, what offices are there to which Egwene can make appointments? The only one I can think of it as ambassadors to other nations; the Hall and Ajahs run the rest.
The power of apppointment can be used either positively or negatively. Egwene can appoint sisters who oppose her to meaningless tasks or meaningless places without input from the Hall. An ally of Romanda could be sent to Arad Doman to distribute food, an ally of Lelaine could be given task of rat removal for Tar Valon, and if you really piss Egwene off you could be sent as a Windfinder instructor. On a positive note Egwene can make appointments that strengthen he position in the Tower. Silvliana is an example. Egwene got a very competetant Keeper and she made a gesture that would get Red support. Egwene can use appointments to weaken her foes and strengthen her supporters.
Egwene can rely on what, ten Aes Sedai? Out of approximately 1000? Elayne and Nynaeve aren't planning on living their lives in the Tower to be able to support her, so while trustworthy I really can't count on them as being reliable when it really comes down to it. As you say, she'll need 20 years for all the novices to become AS before she's able to rely on them. In the interrim, she'll have to fight tooth and nail to get anything done.
I think Egwene can rely on a few more than ten Aes Sedai. The Aes Sedai who really oppose Egwene are few in number. Most of the Aes Sedai will support Egwene because she is the Amyrlin. Romanda, Lelaine, and their handful of supporters will continue to oppose some if not most of Egwene policies, but I don't think they want to overthrow Egwene with Tarmon Gaidan just around the corner.
I guess we will have to disagree on the power of the moral suasion of Nyneave and Elayne. I think most Aes Seadai seeing Egwene being supported by the Queen of Malkier, defeater of Moggy, healer of the stilled, healer of the taint, healer of taint madness, healer of the weather, and the most powerful channeler in the Tower would give supporting Egwene a thought.
Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 05:59:15 PM
- 2134 Views
Egwene isn't supposed to be a leader. She's a dictator and a politician.
16/12/2010 08:21:13 PM
- 1288 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
16/12/2010 10:53:20 PM
- 984 Views
If the Shadow had removed Elaida so Egwene was Amyrlin whilst Rand was still Dark ...
16/12/2010 11:56:08 PM
- 936 Views
Same thing if Elaida was in charge when meeting w/ Dark Rand. *NM*
17/12/2010 02:10:20 AM
- 495 Views
Except Rand wouldn't go to the WT with Elaida in charge, without having to fight
17/12/2010 02:50:18 AM
- 1057 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 03:07:40 AM
- 1100 Views
Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 04:52:34 AM
- 858 Views
Re: Exactly how loyal do you think Nynaeve and Elayne are?
17/12/2010 05:44:30 AM
- 963 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 02:30:48 PM
- 1013 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
17/12/2010 08:25:39 PM
- 804 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
18/12/2010 05:06:21 AM
- 955 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
19/12/2010 08:41:31 PM
- 859 Views
Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends. *NM*
20/12/2010 12:14:55 AM
- 528 Views
Re: Torturing Nynaeve for exclusively her own political ends.
20/12/2010 01:24:12 AM
- 911 Views
And the most painful torments were caused by Egwene
20/12/2010 09:31:44 AM
- 1028 Views
Re: Egwene, a poor leader?
20/12/2010 12:57:42 AM
- 822 Views
She has the same power base as any Amyrlin - the Aes Sedai, the artisans, Guards & citizens of TV
17/12/2010 05:51:20 PM
- 954 Views
Ta'veren vs. Mary Sue
17/12/2010 07:33:28 PM
- 1321 Views
I see them as being the same thing.
17/12/2010 08:11:30 PM
- 951 Views
I don't think the case can be made for Rand having it easy
17/12/2010 11:04:58 PM
- 868 Views
I would say that in the grand scheme of things, Rand's had good to balance out the bad.
20/12/2010 06:27:35 PM
- 854 Views
Funniest statement I've ever seen on here.
18/12/2010 05:22:28 AM
- 961 Views
But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
20/12/2010 06:17:17 PM
- 1261 Views
Re: But you are just undervaluing Egwene's struggles in comparison to the other characters.
22/12/2010 05:28:01 PM
- 1033 Views
Yes, but for completely different reasons...
18/12/2010 12:35:23 AM
- 991 Views
You think Egwene has more power than Tuon?
18/12/2010 12:27:01 PM
- 819 Views
Definitely...
18/12/2010 03:24:12 PM
- 849 Views
I think comparing Egwene to McCain is asking for trouble on several fronts.
20/12/2010 12:33:04 AM
- 818 Views
She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 02:41:32 AM
- 854 Views
RJ is more powerful.
20/12/2010 03:25:49 AM
- 950 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:46:22 AM
- 933 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 09:55:03 AM
- 797 Views
Re: She has a pretty powerful weapon...
20/12/2010 10:27:59 AM
- 875 Views