How Star Wars Politics Mirror the U.S. in 2025

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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… the Galactic Republic crumbled under the weight of its bureaucracy, corruption, and fear. Sound familiar?

Though Star Wars is space fantasy, its political undertones have always reflected real-world anxieties. In 2025, polarized and wrestling with institutional trust, the United States' political system increasingly resembles the troubled Galactic Senate of Star Wars. Here's how the parallels line up:

The Galactic Senate vs. U.S. Congress: Dysfunction in Democracy

In the Star Wars prequel trilogy, the Galactic Senate is portrayed as bloated and inefficient, unable to respond quickly to crises. Senators bicker, stall progress, and represent planets or systems with different interests.

This frustration is perfectly captured when Queen Amidala declares:

"I was not elected to watch my people suffer and die while you discuss this invasion in a committee."

In 2025, the U.S. Congress faces similar criticism. Hyper-partisan standstill has become the norm, with primary legislation often stalled or watered down. Even in the face of urgent national and global issues like climate change, AI regulation, and public health, decisive action is rare. 

Like the Galactic Senate, the U.S. legislative body struggles to adapt in real-time, often paralyzed by internal power plays and factionalism.

Executive Overreach and the Rise of Strongman Politics

Palpatine’s rise to power is arguably Star Wars's most chilling political arc. Granted emergency powers to handle a war, he never relinquishes them. What began as a temporary security measure morphs into authoritarian rule.

In one of the saga’s most iconic moments, Senator Padmé Amidala watches the Republic cheer its downfall and says:

"So, this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."

While the U.S. is not on the brink of dictatorship (more oligarchical, arguably), concerns about executive overreach have been rising. Presidents of both parties have expanded the use of executive orders and emergency declarations, often bypassing Congress. In 2025, debates continue over how much power the president should have in areas like surveillance, military deployment, and national emergency declarations.

The phrase "I am the Senate" might be hyperbolic, but echoes of unilateral action ring louder each year.

Corruption and Corporate Influence

In Star Wars, powerful corporations like the Trade Federation and Techno Union have immense political sway, often funding wars and manipulating policy behind the scenes.

The U.S. political system has long grappled with money's influence in politics. In 2025, billionaires like Elon Musk and other multimillionaires are associated with much of the U.S. government. Critics argue that this undermines democracy and shifts influence away from everyday citizens toward the highest bidder, much like Star Wars depicts systems bending under the pressure of wealthy interests.

Media, Misinformation, and the Battle for Truth

Star Wars doesn’t spend much time on media, but it’s implied that the Empire controls the narrative. In our world, the information war is in full swing. Social media platforms, AI-generated content, and partisan news outlets have created a fractured information environment.

As in the fall of the Republic, the battle in the U.S. isn’t just over policy, but over reality itself. What is true? Who can be trusted? Disinformation campaigns (foreign and domestic) resemble the manipulation that allowed Palpatine to turn the galaxy against the Jedi.

Populism and the Promise of Order

Palpatine doesn’t seize power in secret; he’s cheered on. He offers safety, stability, and unity in exchange for liberty. The people applaud his new Empire.

Populism has taken hold across various segments of American politics. The appeal of a strong leader who can “cut through the noise” and “fix the system” resonates deeply with voters disillusioned by stagnation. The line between democratic leadership and authoritarian charisma gets blurrier by the day.

Chancellor Palpatine rose to power by presenting himself as a decisive, fearless leader during a crisis, echoing Trump's appeal to many of his supporters. 

Just as Anakin Skywalker ultimately pledges loyalty to Palpatine, trusting him over the Jedi Council and the democratic institutions of the Republic, many Trumpists place personal loyalty to Trump above constitutional norms or traditional checks and balances.

This shift—from loyalty to democratic ideals to allegiance to a singular charismatic figure—is at the heart of authoritarian creep. In Star Wars, it led to the rise of the Empire. It manifests in movements like MAGA, where devotion to the leader can override concerns about democratic erosion, institutional integrity, or peaceful power transfer.

The Jedi warn of the dangers of fear leading to anger, hate, and suffering. Likewise, in the real world, fear of change, loss, and the "other", can drive people into the arms of a leader who promises strength, retribution, and a return to greatness, even if it costs them their republic.

If Star Wars teaches us anything, democracies aren’t destroyed in a single moment. They erode slowly, through compromise, complacency, and fear. But the story also offers hope. The Rebellion rises. People resist. And even in darkness, the light fights back.

In 2025, the U.S. is still a democracy, but a fragile one. The comparison to Star Wars politics isn’t just for fun. It’s a cautionary tale.

Because if the galaxy can fall, so can we. But if a small band of rebels can turn the tide… so, can we.

May the Force (of democracy) be with us.