The Politics of Star Wars: Episode V

This political analysis of Star Wars will break from the traditional episode-by-episode format and instead tackle the final two entries of the original trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, in a single examination.

Both films continue the overarching struggle of rebellion against empire, though their themes frequently overlap. As individual works, they are masterfully structured—Empire delivers shocking revelations and a crushing sense of defeat, while Jedi brings thematic closure and the (apparent) downfall of the Galactic Empire.

“America is an empire. I hope you know that now. All empires, by definition, are bumbling, shambolic, bullying, bureaucratic affairs, as certain of the rightness of their cause in infancy, as they are corrupted by power in their dotage.” - Felix Dennis

Despite gaining ground and achieving minor victories, the Rebel Alliance remains at the mercy of the Empire’s overwhelming military might. The shadow of fear looms once again in the form of the Death Star II, an unsubtle allegory for nuclear war as a tool of domination.

A New Hope skillfully narrates the tale of revolution against tyranny. The Empire Strikes Back presents the harsh reality that follows: the counter-revolution, the oppressive weight of authoritarian control, and the disheartening realization that hope alone is insufficient. The film draws parallels to real-world history, where oppressive regimes regroup and retaliate, resistance movements are compelled into exile, and political betrayals shape the destinies of entire nations.

Episode V delves deeply into the war itself, meticulously portraying the trench warfare of both World Wars during the Battle of Hoth. In contrast, A New Hope subtly touched upon the state of war, while the rebels now find themselves firmly entrenched in the midst of it—although this is heavily implied and further explored in other Star Wars media, suggesting that the civil war has been ongoing.

Throughout history, authoritarian regimes have responded to resistance movements with overwhelming force. Following the failed assassination attempt on Hitler in 1944, the Nazi regime executed thousands of suspected conspirators, a tactic reminiscent of the Empire’s relentless pursuit of Rebel leaders. Stalin’s purges targeted intellectuals, military leaders, and political opponents, echoing the Empire’s elimination of threats to its power. Similarly, the Chinese government violently suppressed pro-democracy protests to maintain its grip on power, mirroring the Empire’s enforcement of order through military might.

The film’s central message is evident in its title: authoritarianism fights back.

The Empire’s advanced military technology—AT-ATs, Star Destroyers, and the sheer scale of its war machine—easily outmatches the Rebels, who rely on outdated, salvaged, and piecemeal equipment. Real-world rebellions and revolutionaries often face well-funded, heavily armed regimes.

"It’s a victory when the weapons fall silent and people speak up.” - Volodymyr Zelensky

Loyalty, trust, and honor among the rebels are tested in unexpected ways during The Empire Strikes Back, as exemplified by Lando Calrissian’s betrayal of the rebels. Lando’s moral dilemma in Cloud City goes beyond personal considerations; it reflects the harsh realities faced by nations and leaders under the oppressive rule of superpowers. Lando’s betrayal of Han Solo is not driven by malice but by a belief that it’s the only way to protect his people from Imperial destruction.

For instance, after Nazi Germany occupied France, the Vichy government collaborated with the regime, believing it was the only means to preserve some autonomy—a similar situation to Lando’s initial cooperation with the Empire. Similarly, Eastern European nations, under the threat of Soviet military intervention, complied with Moscow’s rule to avoid outright destruction in the Warsaw Pact. Modern geopolitical struggles, such as Ukraine’s fight to maintain independence from Russian influence, mirror Lando’s predicament—caught between appeasement and resistance.

Yet, like historical resistance leaders, Lando eventually rebels, realizing that submission is merely a slower form of destruction. His decision to aid Leia and Chewbacca despite the risks echoes movements like Charles de Gaulle’s Free French Forces, who opposed Vichy collaboration and continued to fight Nazi occupation.

By Return of the Jedi, Lando embraces the mantle of freedom fighter alongside his fellow rebels, shedding the morally ambiguous figure he portrayed earlier due to the role and circumstances he initially faced.

“From here, you will witness the final destruction of the Alliance and the end of your insignificant rebellion.” - Emperor Palpatine, Return of the Jedi

The final battle of the original trilogy is both a spectacle and a lesson in military hubris. While the Empire is technologically superior, it underestimates the power of insurgency. The Ewoks—primitive, underestimated, and dismissed as irrelevant—become the key to victory. This echoes real-world conflicts, particularly the Vietnam War, where the Viet Cong’s guerrilla tactics ultimately outmaneuvered the technologically superior U.S. military.

But beyond military strategy, the Empire’s greatest weakness is its arrogance. Palpatine, the architect of this war, believes himself too powerful to fail. His downfall isn’t just the result of a Rebel attack—it’s his own overconfidence, a trait shared by real-world authoritarian rulers throughout history.

Palpatine’s entire philosophy is built on hatred. “Let the hate flow through you,” he tells Luke, urging him to abandon restraint and embrace raw, destructive power. This rhetoric is chillingly familiar. From the moment he descended the golden escalator, Donald Trump built his political movement on resentment, fear, and division. His “America First” nationalism, racist dog-whistling, and public dehumanization of marginalized groups mirror the way Palpatine fosters hatred to consolidate power. Trump’s hatred is palpable, and he has garnered unwavering support from those who align with his ideology. His unapologetic racist and toxic rhetoric has empowered his devoted followers to embrace and accept their own repressed racism.

Hitler’s regime thrived on scapegoating and manufactured rage, weaponizing prejudice to justify authoritarian rule. Figures like Viktor Orbán, Jair Bolsonaro, and far-right politicians worldwide use similar tactics—demonizing opponents, rejecting compassion as weakness, and rallying support through fear.

Lucas understood this well. Palpatine isn’t just a villain; he is a cautionary symbol of unchecked hate.

The Harris-Walz campaign of 2024 was not driven by fear or hope, but rather by kindness. It stood in stark opposition to the demonizing narrative of Trump that has been used as propaganda since his political debut. Whether his rhetoric gradually suffocated society until it became numb or merely brought existing sentiments to the forefront is uncertain, but it is likely that both factors played a role.

“The irony is that the little guys won. And the big, highly technical empire, the British empire or the American empire, lost.” - George Lucas

Luke Skywalker’s journey in both films, particularly his trip to Dagobah to learn from the wise Master Yoda, highlights that even the Jedi themselves have much to learn about winning wars. The Jedi Order bears some resemblance to the Vatican during the 1930s and 1940s, which largely remained silent about the rise of Hitler and Mussolini, much like the Jedi Order’s inaction allowed Palpatine to seize power. However, the Jedi are not always portrayed as heroes in both the prequel films and the animated series The Clone Wars. They are shown to lie, mislead, and justify their actions or inactions due to their own arrogance. Despite Yoda’s exile and reflection on past mistakes, he continues to make the same errors. This assessment may not be universally accepted, but Yoda remains mistaken and continues to deceive Luke even after everything that has transpired. Yoda and Obi-Wan, for all their wisdom, still believe Luke must kill Vader to win. They fail to see what Luke understands: victory isn’t just about defeating the enemy—it’s about refusing to become them.

In the animated series Rebels, Yoda does demonstrate signs of learning, telling Ezra Bridger, “Win? How Jedi choose to win, the question is.”

After Yoda’s death, Luke still feels uneasy and dissatisfied, burdened by the expectations placed upon him. Ultimately, Luke Skywalker’s final act is not one of violence, but of rejection. He refuses to fight, throwing down his weapon. It is not war that defeats the Empire—it is love, mercy, and the refusal to give in to hatred. Luke’s path is radical—not in violence, but in defiance of the idea that war is the only answer.

Perhaps then, the redemption of Darth Vader can serve as an example of Trump loyalists who only need empathy, compassion, and hope that we all aspire to.

"It matters which side we choose. Even it there will never be more light than darkness. Even if there can be no more joy in the galaxy than there is pain. For every action we undertake, for every word we speak, for every life we touch—it matters. I don't turn toward the light because it means someday I'll win some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light." - Qui-Gon Jinn, Master and Apprentice

The original Star Wars trilogy and the underrated prequels have illuminated the trajectory that has led us to our current societal state. It wasn’t merely a science fiction space opera or a mere history lesson about past Republics and growing Empires. It serves as a mirror, a cautionary tale that warns us of the dangers, charlatans, and sycophants that led to history’s darkest and most tragic moments. We live in an age where democratic institutions are under attack, where propaganda fuels division, and where authoritarianism thrives on complacency. Without compassion, we become powerless and, frankly, ineffective. Moreover, we cannot be grossly unaware of the world and our civic duties.

In Andor, Maarva Carassi Andor delivers a remarkable speech that encapsulates the essence of the story and reminds us, not in a galaxy far, far away, but in our own world and reality, of our current situation:

“I yearn to lift you. Not because I want to shine or even be remembered. It's because I want you to go on. In my waning hours, that's what comforts me most. But I fear for you. We've been sleeping. We've had each other, our work, our days. We had each other, and they left us alone. We kept the trade lanes open, and they left us alone. We took their money and ignored them, we kept their engines churning, and the moment they pulled away, we forgot them. Because we had each other. But we were sleeping. I've been sleeping.

And I've been turning away from the truth I wanted not to face. There is a wound that won't heal at the centre of the galaxy. There is a darkness reaching like rust into everything around us. We let it grow, and now it's here. It's here, and it's not visiting anymore. It wants to stay. The Empire is a disease that thrives in darkness, it is never more alive than when we sleep. It's easy for the dead to tell you to fight, and maybe it's true, maybe fighting is useless. Perhaps it's too late. But I'll tell you this... If I could do it again, I'd wake up early and be fighting these bastards from the start. Fight the Empire!”