This is always done here, i.e. whether you only have to make 5 regional 4 and everything is fine. Then you draw new borders and Schwupps – this has far more consequences, because it goes down further. What about promotion to the regional league? Also then everything has to be done again in case of doubt, etc.
Even with four seasons, the spook will not stop because you still have four unequal seasons and the second place then complain that the other regional “weaker” are. And that’s true. The climbers of the RL Nord and RL Bayern were almost unable to survive in the 3rd league. Lübeck, Havelse, Oldenburg, Unterhaching, Bayreuth …
You have to be so sober and honest that 2/3 of the regional leagues and in some seasons even 4/5 hardly or not at all meet the requirements of professional football. Fallen heroes and rejected talents play, who train loosely three times a week.
The most sensible solution would be two regional, not four. North and south – as it was before the introduction of the 3rd league. The RL West, RL Nord and RL Nordost, as well as the RL Südwest and RL Bayern. 2×18 clubs become 5×18. And with all respect, these are no longer a village square associations, but only clubs where professional structures are there or can be created. Two really good clubs always rise per season, who can also keep up in the 3rd league.
Of course, this also pulls a large installment tail with it and you would also have to reform the whole Oberliga system. But at the same time, 36 regional league clubs can be set up much better for TV marketing. You would have your sporty fair competition and a more balanced division. But of course that is completely illusory.