If you have ever played the great shareware game "Democracy", the sequal Democracy 2 was recently released. It is really amazing. Some of the things I particularly like in it are that to get re-elected you have to select two items from a list for your "Manifesto" that you must obtain by the next election.

There is even a "Voter Cynicism" that increases if you cut taxes JUST before an election, some of the cynics won't vote for you.

I could see a simplified version of the "Manifesto" where based on your government you are either selecting from a list of choices or they get randomly assigned to you by your congress. Once you complete them you get a HUGE bonus in popularity. This is a "Quest". Think of it as optional but it will shape your policies.

"Conquer and Hold Tornquenada-III for 5 turns".
"Build Five More Research Centers" etc

Simple "Do this, and get this" quests auto-generating in the game, which represent you fufilling the promises you had to make to your people to get re-elected under some governments and in others more of "This is the Will of the senate..do it and we shall reward you great emperor Zerg". either way, its a neat quest.