The Star Wars films are pro-liberty and anti-tyranny. They are imperfect, sure, but still chocked full of freedom-loving goodness, among other things. Are any of you guys big fans? Anyone going to the Star Wars Celebration V in Orlando in August?
If so, I’d be great to meet up and geek out. Just throwing it out there…
On Star Wars…
From Steven Carson “Films on Liberty and the State” page:
Star Wars (1977, 1980, 1983, 1999, 2002, 2005)
The ambitious Star Wars films tell of the rise, fall into evil & ultimate redemption of Anakin Skywalker through his son Luke. Set against the decline of the Old Republic into an evil Galactic Empire and the rebellion against that Empire, this tale has profound relevance for our time. Here’s the top reasons why the Star Wars saga, in addition to being an epic action-packed adventure is a great pro-liberty tale:
The films claim to be pro-liberty! From the scrolling-off-into-the-distance intro text: “…restore freedom to the galaxy” (Episode IV), “a group of freedom fighters led by Luke Skywalker…” (Episode V), “the small band of rebels struggling to restore freedom to the galaxy” (Episode VI).
The theme of the Republic declining into an evil empire is an ancient libertarian theme going back to Cato’s resistance to the onset of empire in Rome. The portrayal of the bureaucratic/military empire vs. the “ragtag” people’s resistance is right on target.
“So this is how liberty dies - to thunderous applause.” (Padme)
“War does not make one great.” (Yoda)
“A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack.” (Yoda) How many other movies can you think of that have such a clear presentation of the libertarian doctrine on the use of force?
In the grand old Anglo-American tradition of continuing to provide goods even when the government stupidly gets in the way, we have the heroic smuggler Han Solo who specializes in outfoxing the Empire to do business. And don’t forget that Lando Calrissian is originally running a black market mining operation when he is introduced.
No conscription for these freedom fighters! When the valuable pilot Han Solo plans to leave the Rebellion his decision is respected: “He’s got to follow his own path, no one can choose it for him.” (Leia)
Empire, accurately, is portrayed as a mass murderer in the destruction of the peaceful planet of Alderan and everyone on it. As a symbol to represent this past century of the killer State, I propose the dreaded Death Star.
That two generations have grown up with these films teaching them to hate the “Empire” and it’s plans to “bring order to the galaxy” bodes well for our future.
Also, on Mises.org, see Mark Thornton’s review of Episodes I and II.
Anyone else have anything to share about Star Wars from the free market point of view?
I’m not a Star Wars geek, but the first three movies (the old ones) definitely captured my imagination when I first saw them years ago. The new installments didn’t have the same magic, and I think that’s why I lost interest. But I haven’t watched the original three in a long time, and I would appreciate them all the more now that I am very pro-liberty.
I found that lucas’s the force=smith’s invisible hand, they seem to truly parallel each other.
Some lines, “The more you tighten your grip, the more star-systems will slip through your fingers.”
“So this is how democracy dies, to the sound of thunderous applause.”
Unfortunately episode 1 basically introduced the trade federation as greedy tax-evaders and the republic as altruistic pro-democracy statists.
But at least the next 2 movies begin to take a lukewarmly sympathetic view to the trade federation and the confederacy as opposed to the republic and its supporters who were misled by their altruism into supporting the growing dictatorship of Palpatine.
Funny you brought this up. My quote for the Starwars Facebook status message day a few weeks ago
What good’s all your uncle’s work if the Empire takes it over? You know they’ve already started to nationalize commerce in the central systems? It won’t be long before your uncle is just a tenant, slaving for the greater glory of the Empire.
I think Biggs Darklighter said that during a cut scene from a new hope.
That’s a great scene with Biggs, wish that it had made the cut.
It is true that the trade federation is portrayed as evil, but they are only especially evil (as in real life) when they get endorsed, backed and manipulated by the Emperor.
Funny.. I was reading over the New Essential Guide to Species last night, and the Besalisk (the race of that four armed fellow operating the diner Obi Wan went to in Episode II to find out about the origin of the weapon used to kill Padme’s attempted assassin) struck me as a species that might fit the bill. They have little central government other than small communes around the whole planet, they refused to join the Empire, though at the cost of bringing criminal elements into their world via deals with the Hutts, they are rarely found in underworld circles, and those that do are largely non-violent and inquisitive types.
Star Wars - Entertaining; cutting-edge special effects; imaginative story (although a lot of borrowed material); bad writing; a libertarian angle is debatable.
But if the free market were to produce a Death Star, would it be right for some kind of Rebel government to intervene? I’m sure Death Stars could be quite profitable…
I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but my trolldar is beeping at Benjamin’s comment. It’s interesting you bring up such a thing, because a “Death Star” (albeit a buggy, vastly smaller, less powerful, prototypical one based on stolen technologies) was in fact built by the Hutts, though the Hutts walk a strange line between criminal syndicate and recognized government, due to their control of a large region of space, the virtually unchallenged domination of the Hutt Grand Council and their aristocratic structure of kajidics (families).
That, and it was created by Kevin J. Anderson, who is not exactly known for quality or adaptationally faithful renditions of science fiction, as many Dune fans would undoubtedly tell you.
But before we even cross that bridge: Where exactly are you going to get the resources to build a gigantic battlestation and/or a weapon capable of generating the amount of power (and believe me, that’s a lot of power) required to destroy a planet (or even a moon)? The first Death Star was 160 kilometres in diameter and made and powered by various fictional and often artificial materials. Why would you wish to threaten an entire planet (where exactly would you have to go if you destroyed it, for instance? Off in cryogenic stasis to Alpha Centauri?)? Why would anyone agree to help you operate or build such a thing? (The first Death Star was crewed by hundreds of thousands of men, let alone the tens of thousands of officers and hundreds of thousands of troops that it held) I could go on..
“Unfortunately episode 1 basically introduced the trade federation as greedy tax-evaders and the republic as altruistic pro-democracy statists.”
I don’t think the Trade Federation where exactly for free trade.
I’ve been a fan, read some of the novels & played the RPG. Episode 1 and 2 where so-so, but I like episode 3, especially the fact that Jar Jar no talky.
Fergive me for not being able to use the forum properly, my browser doesn’t like this forum.
The Death Star was in no way demanded, formed or used in any free market method. The Emperor built it by sheer manipulation, forced labor (via taxation of outlaying systems forced into the Empire), etc. The Emperor represented a rival rising totalitarian state, soon to be the state. And it was quite a Lincolnian one at that.
Actually, the Death Star II was partly built by a private shipping company, Xizor Transport Systems. Though, that was at least in part a front for money laundering by the Black Sun criminal syndicate, and Xizor was gunning for second banana status with Darth Vader.