The Politics of Star Wars
(Warning: Star Wars spoilers ahead).
For those of you who have been living in a cave or on a desert island, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was released on May 19. This completes the saga of Anakin Skywalker, from slave boy, to Padawan, to Jedi, to Sith lord, to his redemption in Return of the Jedi.
As Anakin transforms, so to does the political structure of the galaxy. At the beginning of the saga, the galaxy is ruled by a democratically elected, perpetually divided and squabbling, republican senate. Over the course of the first three episodes, power increasingly shifts from the senate to Palpatine. Palpatine goes from senator, to chancellor in Episode I, and his power gradually increases until he declares himself emperor in Episode III.
The underlying question is, why did the galaxy, or more accurately its democratically elected senators, choose to give up their freedom? While the question of why people seek power is a common theme in literature and movies, the question of why people choose to give in to those who seek power is not.
Below are several links to articles further exploring the politics of Star Wars, with emphasis on the transformation from republic to empire.
http://www.antiwar.com/orig/horton.php?articleid=6041
http://www.mises.org/fullstory.aspx?control=948
http://www.mises.org/story/1818
http://www.mises.org/story/232
posted by Erik @ 5:31 PM
3 Comments:
Erik,
Interesting topic. Haven't checked out the links yet- was instead wondering what you are doing next year with a minty fresh BA on your wall.
Julia
What am I doing?
I am currently working the quality control/shipping department of the Fairmont Regional Linen facility in Canmore. And enjoying life in the mountains.
Oh, and I'll be taking the next year off to work, travel, and try to figure out where I'm going next.
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