The issue is, everybody knows illegal alliances are going on all the time and there is nothing being done by mods to stop them. Some mods who play even participate in them. Thus, eventually, when people figure out what's really going on - that IC is basically a popularity contest - they leave the game.
The top families participate in illegal alliances (or illegal agreements which are in effect alliances), and the small families, usually new players, don't stand a chance.
>>>>You can't expect a rule to be followed if that rule is unenforceable.<<<<
If this game is to expect any future growth in players, it has to solve the issue so that illegal alliances and making illegal agreements are either decriminalized or enforced.
To decriminalize it, just take away all napping / pnapping etc. - I don't think this game will last much longer if you choose this option.
The best way for the rule to be enforced is for there to be built into the game concept a self-regulating system whereby the more honorable-acting fams tend to be the more successful fams.
My fee for such a consultation will be 49% ownership of this website.