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| Dog-Poop_Walker wrote: |
In theory the big difference between the Empire and the Republic is that the Empire is beholden to one supreme ruler and not democratic and neither is it's participation voluntary. The Empire seizes control of planets that it wants to possess and instills itself as ruler, regardless of what the inhabitants of that planet want. Or destoys it if it does not submit. And that is why the Jedi oppose it.
In theory anyway... I've talked about how the distinction is frequently blurred when it comes to the New Republic and especially the G.A. |
I would agree with you if you were talking about Palpatine's Empire, but I don't think it's the same government anymore. As the books progressed, the name of the government stayed the same but nearly all of the main players changed. The New Republic and the Empire were at war for so long that nearly all of the Empire's previous leaders were either killed or lost their positions. The resulting Remnant was such a mess that it was nearly impossible to rule by fear, because anyone who felt threatened would side with the New Republic. Thus, many beings who rose to power were those who could get others to follow them willingly (i.e. Pellaeon).
Also, during this transition period, the Empire had no supreme ruler, because the Emperor was dead and anyone else who tried to claim that position didn't last long. So the government fell to the Moffs, whom I don't see as being all that different from the Jedi Council. I don't remember exactly how it works post-RotJ, but in the Old Republic, the Council, not the Jedi Order as a whole, elected the Council members, , and nobody ever complained about that being unfair (well, except maybe Anakin). The Moffs all had equal authority, so they were forced to work together instead of one person being in charge. Even now, Jag is not the ultimate authority (although we all know he will eventually become Emperor and that will change. . . . but more on that later).
To quickly clarify here, I understand that there are and have been many corrupt Moffs. But as has been mentioned already, the GA is also fraught with corruption, so I don't think it really has any bearing on the current subject.
As far as the citizens are concerned, I don't think anyone is forced to be a citizen of the current Empire any more than they would be forced to be a citizen of the GA. Any planet currently a member of the Empire or the GA would have to be suffering greatly before they would undertake the headache of trying to change allegiances (the slave rebellions don't count because I don't think any of them belonged to any government other than the Hutts, and anyone under the Hutts does suffer greatly). Pellaeon, who I think we all pretty much agree is a decent man, stated that there were many systems who genuinely wanted to stay under the Empire because they felt more secure.
The Empire that crushed all opposition has vanished, I think. With the GA watching over its shoulder and a lack of superweapons, the Empire no longer has the ability to destroy dissenters on a large scale, so they must resort to more mundane forms of persuasion.
And now to discuss the subject of Emperor. I have said multiple times in other threads that I can't wait for Jag to become Emperor, mainly because I love Jag and I think the Empire would be better off with him in charge. But regardless of who holds the position, what is wrong with a monarchy? Our modern culture has made the word "monarch" synonymous with "dictator". We are ingrained with the belief that any government not subject to the will of the people is an evil one. Now, let me quickly clarify that I love the republic of the United States of America and would never in a million years want a monarchy instead. I like having some say over who runs my country. But, countless civilizations in history have survived and even thrived under one supreme ruler. The problem comes when the wrong person attains that position. In a government as vast as the Empire, any ruler who oppressed his people would quickly be opposed by either good leaders or ambitious underlings. Either way, eventually someone would take the throne who could provide stability to the Empire, which is, according to Pellaeon, the very reason its citizens choose to remain.
Anyway, that's kind of a lengthy breakdown, but I am currently so fed up with the GA that I'm basically rooting for the Empire. So consider this post a highly biased propaganda piece. 
_________________
“You keep talking about a maker. Who made you?”
“Actually, I don’t quite recall. But I was made, so the existence of my maker is beyond question. And since I consider my existence to be a good thing, he was without a doubt benevolent and forward thinking.”
~Allana Solo and C-3PO
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