The ultimate dark side power is …tariffs?

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In Episode Four of Star Wars, we find ourselves at the start of a pivotal struggle between galactic forces of light and darkness. This film marks the beginning of the Republic’s decline, leading to the establishment of the Galactic Empire – a dominion that rules with an iron fist and a terrifying planet-destroying space station known as Death Star. The story unfolds as the saga’s initial step towards cosmic chaos – The Phantom Menace sets the stage for this climactic battle between good and evil in the universe.

…Started with Tariffs.

George Lucas’ choice to incorporate political scenes wasn’t his most widely appreciated creative move in Star Wars. Instead of a thrilling start for the vast Galactic war between the Ultimate Forces of Good and Evil, these scenes seemed underwhelming and lacked the expected dramatic intensity. In contrast, the major conflicts of stories like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter began with more obviously ominous elements such as cursed items or individuals who believed themselves to be superior to others.

It’s clear now that George Lucas was ahead of his time when he incorporated tariff-like issues into Star Wars, as they have proven to be more significant than initially perceived, and are even playing a role in today’s political landscape. The current US administration has been influenced by tariffs, both proposed and threatened, much like how Palpatine seized power in Star Wars by exploiting the fear and instability caused by such policies. This shows that Lucas’s foresight was indeed visionary.

“”The Trade Federation’s own rapacious desire for profit over all else – and the deal that they do with the Dark Side, despite their own unease – feels worryingly similar to how the CEOs of Amazon, Meta and Google have all bent the knee to the Trump Administration. The increasing political power of the Trade Federation, and the way that they have stymied the Galactic Senate, brings to mind the way that the legislative arm of the United States has been hollowed out by lobbying and neutered by the richest and most online man in the world.””Jack Bernhardt

George Lucas skillfully depicted chilling similarities between our present circumstances in ‘The Phantom Menace’. If he was able to foresee our path in the initial film of the Prequel series, what could this imply for our future? Although it’s highly unlikely that anyone has a secret army of clones prepared for the past decade or a robotic force on standby, wars often serve as a means for authoritarian governments to persuade citizens that surrendering their rights actually enhances their safety. As US President Donald Trump has already mentioned war, George Lucas’ Prequel Trilogy was influenced by contemporary politics and history exhibits a concerning pattern of repetition.

Is it possible that we’re witnessing a manipulated struggle for control, with the ultimate goal of amassing more power than any leader has ever held before? Just as the Sith Empire emerged from the ruins of the Republic, could a totalitarian empire similar to fascism rise from the remains of the United States of America?

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2025-08-06 22:22