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Star Words: Episode II, Part 11
Dec. 7th, 2017 02:13 pmThe prequels explore two primary questions. The first, and probably much more anticipated question, was how Anakin became Darth Vader. This fall, however, occurs against the backdrop of a wider tragedy -- how a democracy turns into tyranny. Unlike Anakin's trajectory, which begins with an almost entirely innocent boy, the Republic is already starting to decline in Episode I. We see the corruption, the apathy and the decadence that allow such injustices as slavery in the Outer Rim or planetary invasions by the Trade Federation to go unpunished. Palpatine uses these circumstances, manipulates and deceives, but he did not create the corruption from nothing. And when the Republic finally becomes the Empire, it doesn't happen by brutal force. As Lucas explained, "Democracies aren't overthrown; they're given away."
This is foreshadowed by a line from Queen Jamillia. As she and Padmé discuss the alarming news of the Separatist movement, it is clear they share the same idealism. Both of them dread the thought of war, seeing it as the very last resort. They want to rely instead on diplomacy, on negotiations. War, for them, is the antithesis of democracy. It uses violence and physical force to accomplish its aims; democracy relies instead on honoring the voice and will of the people. Jamillia concludes the discussion with a somber observation.
"The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it."
It's more than a platitude. Democracy depends entirely on the combined will of the people to make it work. Without our faith in its power, it's nothing more than an idea. And if we stop honoring it, the will of the people will no longer prevail. Something else will take over. And in this case, it's a very clever, very power-hungry Sith Lord.
The Empire doesn't get formally created until Episode III. But its influence has already begun, particularly since Palpatine has been leading the Senate for ten years. How easily they lend him emergency powers, each executive order leeching away a little more of the democratic process. And how willingly they allow the Republic to plunge into war, forsaking diplomacy for violence. It doesn't really happen in a single day, but that faith in democracy is steadily waning. Soon enough, it will die out entirely.
Of course, as fragile as democracy might appear, there is always the hope of seeing it restored. There are other idealists -- Bail, Mon Mothma, and eventually Padmé's own children -- who keep that hope alive long enough to restore it.
Next, some words from the eerie people who manufacture living beings...
This is foreshadowed by a line from Queen Jamillia. As she and Padmé discuss the alarming news of the Separatist movement, it is clear they share the same idealism. Both of them dread the thought of war, seeing it as the very last resort. They want to rely instead on diplomacy, on negotiations. War, for them, is the antithesis of democracy. It uses violence and physical force to accomplish its aims; democracy relies instead on honoring the voice and will of the people. Jamillia concludes the discussion with a somber observation.
"The day we stop believing democracy can work is the day we lose it."
It's more than a platitude. Democracy depends entirely on the combined will of the people to make it work. Without our faith in its power, it's nothing more than an idea. And if we stop honoring it, the will of the people will no longer prevail. Something else will take over. And in this case, it's a very clever, very power-hungry Sith Lord.
The Empire doesn't get formally created until Episode III. But its influence has already begun, particularly since Palpatine has been leading the Senate for ten years. How easily they lend him emergency powers, each executive order leeching away a little more of the democratic process. And how willingly they allow the Republic to plunge into war, forsaking diplomacy for violence. It doesn't really happen in a single day, but that faith in democracy is steadily waning. Soon enough, it will die out entirely.
Of course, as fragile as democracy might appear, there is always the hope of seeing it restored. There are other idealists -- Bail, Mon Mothma, and eventually Padmé's own children -- who keep that hope alive long enough to restore it.
Next, some words from the eerie people who manufacture living beings...
