The republic has fallen
May the 4th be with you
Today is May 4th. Otherwise know as "May the 4th" - a play on words referring to "may the force be with you" from Star Wars.
Star Wars has many parallels to fascism and imperialism, and has a narrative deeper than good guys vs. bad guys. The entire story - from prequels to sequels - illustrates how a functioning republic can collapse into fascism.
Sounds familiar?
Below I've made a table (switched to a list because the table was unreadable) comparing key elements of the Star Wars story to Nazi Germany and America.
1. The Galactic Republic
- U.S. Parallel: The U.S. Republic — democratic foundations gradually undermined from within.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: The Weimar Republic — fragile, divided, weakened by economic and political crises.
- Quote: “So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.” — Padmé Amidala
2. Chancellor Palpatine
- U.S. Parallel: Authoritarian figures exploiting fear and crisis (e.g., Trump, Bush post-9/11).
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Hitler’s legal rise to power via democratic systems, followed by emergency powers.
- Quote: “I am the Senate.” — Palpatine
3. The Clone Wars
- U.S. Parallel: Endless military engagements (Afghanistan, Iraq) framed as freedom missions.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: The Reichstag fire and rapid militarization to confront “enemies of the state.”
- Quote: “The war is over. The separatists have been defeated.” — Palpatine
4. Order 66
- U.S. Parallel: The rise of the surveillance state and suppression of dissent post-9/11.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: The Night of the Long Knives — mass purges of internal opposition.
- Quote: (Silent, symbolizing betrayal and sudden totalitarian shift)
5. The Jedi Council
- U.S. Parallel: Liberal institutions and intellectuals — slow, complicit, or silent in the face of rising authoritarianism.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Conservatives who enabled Hitler, believing they could control him.
- Quote: “The Council’s decisions are final.” — Mace Windu
6. Anakin Skywalker / Darth Vader
- U.S. Parallel: Radicalized youth or elites (e.g., Jan 6 attackers) turned violent enforcers.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Hitler Youth and SS drawn to power, purpose, and identity.
- Quote: “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy!” — Anakin
7. The Empire
- U.S. Parallel: Corporate-state fusion, endless war, mass surveillance, and nationalism.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: A totalitarian state based on fear, propaganda, and violence.
- Quote: “A safe and secure society!” — Palpatine
8. Stormtroopers
- U.S. Parallel: Militarized police, ICE, and federal agencies suppressing protests and dissent.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: SA and SS troops enforcing loyalty and crushing opposition.
- Quote: (Their uniform and silence speak for themselves)
9. Rebel Alliance
- U.S. Parallel: Activists, whistleblowers, anti-fascist movements, climate defenders.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Small resistance cells like the White Rose and other dissidents.
- Quote: “Rebellions are built on hope.” — Jyn Erso
10. The Death Star
- U.S. Parallel: Drone warfare, nuclear weapons, and technological deterrence.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Blitzkrieg, total war doctrine, and V-2 rocket terror.
- Quote: “Fear will keep the local systems in line.” — Tarkin
11. The Tarkin Doctrine
- U.S. Parallel: Rule through fear, disinformation, and exaggerated threats (e.g., crime, terrorism).
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Gestapo terror, Hitler’s rhetoric about enemies within and without.
- Quote: (Same as above)
12. The Destruction of Alderaan
- U.S. Parallel: Indifference to civilian casualties (e.g., drone strikes, economic sanctions).
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Leveling of resistance cities, scorched earth tactics.
- Quote: “You would prefer another target?” — Tarkin
13. Senate Dissolution
- U.S. Parallel: Voter suppression, gerrymandering, court-packing, breakdown of checks and balances.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: The Reichstag rendered irrelevant after Hitler’s consolidation of power.
- Quote: “The last remnants of the old Republic have been swept away.” — Palpatine
14. Imperial Propaganda
- U.S. Parallel: State-aligned media, partisan news, social media manipulation.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Goebbels' propaganda machine glorifying Hitler and demonizing others.
- Quote: “The attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed...” — Palpatine
15. Coruscant
- U.S. Parallel: Washington D.C., Wall Street, and Silicon Valley elites — distant from everyday suffering.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Berlin — hub of policy, privilege, and propaganda.
- Quote: (A visual metaphor of opulence vs. galactic poverty)
16. Rise of the First Order
- U.S. Parallel: Post-Obama far-right populism, white nationalism, and neo-fascist resurgence.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: The Nazi revival myth, vengeance for “humiliation” post-WWI.
- Quote: “Let the past die. Kill it if you have to.” — Kylo Ren
17. Kylo Ren
- U.S. Parallel: Disaffected men drawn to violent ideology, longing for meaning and control.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Radicalized youth, attracted by power and myth.
- Quote: (Same as above)
18. Snoke / Revived Palpatine
- U.S. Parallel: Hidden power brokers, legacy elites manipulating both sides.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: German aristocracy, bankers, and military industrialists behind the scenes.
- Quote: “I have been every voice you have ever heard inside your head.” — Palpatine
19. The Resistance
- U.S. Parallel: Civil society, journalists, underground networks still fighting authoritarian drift.
- Nazi Germany Parallel: Students, clergy, soldiers who resisted at great cost.
- Quote: “We are the spark that’ll light the fire that’ll burn the First Order down.” — Poe Dameron
May the force be with you.
