Aragorn's Reunited Empire: Just a paper dream?

[drigel]

Appendix A
House of Eorl

In all the lands of those realms of old he was king, save in Rohan only; for he renewed to Eomer the gift of Cirion, and Eomer took again the Oath of Eorl. Often he fulfilled it. For though Sauron had passed, the hatreds and evils that he bred had not died, and the King of the West had many enemies to subdue before the White Tree could grow in peace.

Subduing enemies is different than conquering territories. And there is something to think about: the societal and economic aftermath of "subduing and enemy" (nation buiding, anyone?). But I do think that "all the lands of those realms of old" implies to me that the Kingdom, with the exception of the expanded "greater Shire", drew the same lines on the map as the Realm in Exile at it's height. I dont think Aragorn saw to expanding it, being the just ruler that he was. What happened after Aragorn is anybody's guess (fun ).

Seeing that the former Realm in Exile flourished in the 2nd age prior to Saurons renewal, why wouldnt the Reunited Kingdom flourish? To me, there is a difference between a Kingdom, an Empire, and a Republic (or any combination therof).