It has been said that Michinaga did not become Kampaku because he saw the potential for the Kampaku to become politically powerless in a situation where the Emperor and Kampaku were opposed, because the Kampaku did not have political decision-making authority or the power to directly command the Daijokan or subordinate ministers.
道長は天皇と関白が対立した場合には、政治的決定への決裁権も太政官以下の諸役人を直接指揮する権限も持たない関白が政治的には無力化する可能性があることを考慮して関白に就かなかったのだといわれている。