Politics in Star Wars Ep. II

I must say that I was somewhat disappointed with Anakin's lack of explanation on why he prefers dictatorship. He should have been more logical about it, detailing on why he finds dictatorship better than democracy, rather than whine 'well, if it works'.

Besides, did anyone else notice that hint of 'American values' when Padme said about democracy disappearing 'I hope that day never comes...'. I thought that was rather amusing...

Cheers, Darth Ofek

ya lol but the most funny one is when Anakin says that people on Naboo wanted to amend the constitution for her to go over her 2 mandates!!! Hilarious!

I don't think the 'if it works' was the central element of Anakin's case against democracy. He never actually said that he prefers a dictatorship in as many words, all he described was his opinion on the best way to run a government. Padme declared it a 'dictatorship' and to that Anakin said 'well, if it works' which to me read 'I don't care what you call it, I just think it would work better than what we have now.'

He was really teasing her. He knew that that statement would irritate her...

her...

I don't see it that way. He dug himself into a hole and Padme, being the nice person she generally is, offered him a face-saving way out. Ani is portrayed as pretty naive about politics throughout and this is just another

Don't get me started on the asinine political messages and concepts in AOTC...yikes!

For me it was not so much that statement that gave off the hint of 'American values' After all Democracy wasn't invented by the USA, nor is it the only current democratic country, in spite oh the general impression the US media seems to give(at least in my limited exposure to it) The bit I thought was amusingly American was the maximum of two terms in office.

her...

I don't think he was teasing her. This is a good insight into Anakin's character and foreshadowing of what's to come. Anakin has a strong sense of right and wrong (see his characterization in TPM). He clearly desires to become a Jedi to right many of the wrongs he sees in the galaxy and to help bring order. By AOTC, he's seen firsthand the corruption in the Senate and its inability to address the growing disorder. On the other hand, he's also cleary taken with Palpatine and is convinced that the Chancellor is an honest man with the best interests of the Republic in mind. When Anakin speaks of a 'dictatorship', he obviously means for Palpatine, perhaps with the help of the Jedi, to be the one to make everybody agree to what's best for the Republic. A dictatorship need not necessarily be a bad thing. IMO, the type of dictatorship that Anakin, in his political naivete, is describing is similar to Plato's philosopher-kings.

True, indeed. But then how do you explain Vader's asphyxiation with the Dark Side even though he knows that doesn't do anyone any good? Like when he chokes that officer after saying 'I find your lack of faith

What does this have to do with his politics? Regardless, by that point in ANH, he's completely succumbed to the dark side.

Power tends to corrupt....