That's true. However, I don't think technology was overcoming much for the Yor since they had focused almost entirely on engineering and weapons technologies to the exclusion of even Universal Translator and Xeno Commerce. Besides, it was still relatively early in the game (150 turns, very slow research). Morale absolutely needs to do something in-game; right now it's a mostly useless sideshow with modest and forgettable benefits and maluses. Low morale should translate into work stoppages on planets, sensitivity to culture flipping, even outright creation of rebel units and independence.

Approval/happyness in any game use to be an annoying problem as it was in earlier stages of GC3... You may say it can add depth but at the same time it just takes the focus out of strategy/fun and make you think about what's the "optimal pattern" to follow.

Approval should have deeper effects on politics for sure. But the existing political system of the game is sorely lacking; Star Empire, Star Republic, Star Democracy, and Star Federation are nothing more than different ways of making money with little depth to them. In truth, each planet should have its own legislature with the right to spend a certain percentage of net income received on the planet (15% for Star Empire, 30% for Star Republic, 45% for Star Democracy, 60% for Star Federation). The party or parties in control would then spend this money on various programs desired by the populace; indeed parties should pop up on promises to fulfill certain demands of the populace. A world receiving much of its income from trade would probably have demands like improved trade facilities to raise that income, while an industrially developed world would seek further incentives to industrial production. Poor worlds would most likely want economic development programs while richer worlds would seek cultural festivals and the like. Worlds under constant attack would vote for parties prioritizing planetary defense while secure core worlds would not do so as much.

Politics can be greatly expanded in GalCiv3, hopefully with the next expansions/major patches. Currently the game feels like a remake of GCII with better graphics, a less complex (but more counterintuitive) economic planning system, shipyards, and resources. I want the feeling that I am running an interstellar empire, not playing a game.