Hapsburg:
This guy, John Last, makes a very convincing argument for the Galactic Empire of Palpatine. I think it makes pretty damn good sense:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Conte...01/248ipzbt.asp
Discuss.
I've read that article before, and as you point out, it makes perfect sense. I've often argued in favour of the Empire, and even Palpatine's actions in Episode 3, to met with scorn from pro-Jedi, pro Old Republic morons. "OMFG, HES IN TEH DARK SIDE, SO HE MUSS BE EBIL!"
Quite simply, the Empire is the perfect example of a totalitarian dictatorship which has sacrificed some civil liberties in favour of stability, law and order, productively and unity. It was exactly what the galaxy needed at the time. The Republic was DOOMED.
Anyone who knows Star Wars history that the Old Republic had been in decline for a thousand years. Corruption, multiple corporations manipulating the result of votes and even attacking planets, a general lack of law and order, one enemy after another whipping the Republic's ass. The Republic is a mirror image of the Byzantine Empire. Constantly whooped down by its neighbours, it was 'the sick man of the galaxy'. It needed replacement. Is the Empire an ideal government? Perhaps not. But it sure was a damn sight better than the Old Republic.
Oh, and individuals who feel that the Empire's tactics to maintain order were heavy handed... do a little research on the methods which the Old Republic used against particular planets that it wanted to join them. The Old Republic at many times acted like the Yankees. Join us or be decimated. Independance is bad.
In fact, we observe this attitude in the 2nd Episode. The Separatists wish to secede and leave the Republic. The Old Republic is basically clamouring for war, with only Padme managing to win support, and ensure that cooler heads to prevail. "We must negotiate instead of attacking someone who wants to exercise their god given right to regain their independence." Good choice.
Then the Republic finds out that the Separatists are building an army, and there is outrage. "OMFG, THE SEPERATISTS ARE BUILDING AN ARMY!". Yeah, fancy that. A group which you have threatened war against are building an army in order to protect themselves, and give themselves some leverage so that they can break away from the Republic. The outrage of the Republic is equivalent to Israel feeling outrage over Palestinian groups such as Hamas arming themselves!
And then, to seal the deal, the Jedi attack Palpatine. Why? Because... because... because... he's a Sith! And we don't like the evil Sith.
So fucking what? He was elected by the people. You can't claim to support the Republic, and then turn around and violate its democratic institutions. "We aren't happy with the majority's choice, so we are going to storm into the candidate's home armed, attempt to arrest him (despite not having the authority to do so), and when he refuses to go quietly, murder him". Why didn't the Jedi just inform the people that Palpatine was a Sith, and let them decide if they wanted a Sith in power? Oh wait, people were sick of the Jedi, who hid in behind their stones walls and done jack shit to help the galaxy.
Palpatine killed the Jedi. So? Those who followed the religious ideals of the Sith were persecuted by the Jedi for god knows how long. The mere fact that Palpatine followed the religious ideals of the Sith made him a prime target of the Jedi. Mace tried to slaughter Palpatine in cold blood. So Palpatine struck back against the persecutors of the Sith. He struck back against the true enemies of the Republic. And he whipped ass. So stop bitching.
Here's an interesting question. What would have happened if Mace and his lackeys had have marched into Palpatine's, sat down, and said
"Listen, we know you're a Sith, and we don't give a shit. We have our beliefs, you have your beliefs, and we won't persecute you merely because your beliefs are dis-similar from ours. You have the right to practice the religious beliefs of the Sith, just like the Jedi have the right to practice their own religious beliefs. But remember, you are bound by the law, and you are ultimately accountable to the people. So you'd better not fuck up the galaxy, or you might be in for a short reign."
No doubt, Palpatine would have been quite shocked at first. It is indeed a rarity for the Jedi to tolerate alternative view points. He would then have realized that perhaps the Jedi WEREN'T a threat, and hence it wouldn't be wise to murder them. What would the public have done if they discovered that Palpatine had attempted to wipe out the followers of an entire religion for no reason whatsoever? You would have had the reverse effect of the attempted Jedi assassination on Palpatine. The public would have demanded that Palpatine be hunted down, and brought to justice.
Quite simply, the Jedi got was coming to them. They thought they were above the law. They persecuted those whose beliefs differed from theirs. They attempted to kill prisoners in cold blood. They were weak, arrogant, and foolish. And they got PWNED. That's the way of life. The strong and wise replace the weak and stupid.
