Agreed, and I think that is likely the way it is meant to be. But as it is now, it is impossible to continue to grow too large because of the bonuses applying towards your malus as well. If that is working as intended, that they apply to both, than they seem to be neutral, if not negative, in large map games while positive or at least neutral, in small maps. Personally I think the LEP should be a % of the total habitable planets you own in the galaxy, so you get the same LEP in small maps as well as gigantic ones. Own 3 planets but only 15 total planets to be habitable on the map? Your LEP might be -2 (20% * 100). If you own 20 and there are 100 planets, you would get the same -2 LEP. Lot more planets, but far more to colonize so ALL empires should, theoretically, be larger.
