The Secessionist Movement, a confederation of dissatisfied star systems (and other organizations like including the Trade Federation), declares independence from the Republic. Nominally led by Count Dooku (who is in fact in league with Palpatine), they have begun preparing a droid army. In response, the Galactic Senate is set to vote on the creation of their own army, The Grand Army of the Republic.
The former Queen of Naboo Padme Amidala, turned Senator, plans to oppose the bill. She has also fallen under the threat of assassination, leaving Obi-Wan Kenobi and his young apprentice Anakin Skywalker to guard her. Anakin, smitten by the Senator, is cautioned by Obi-Wan from proceeding, as politicians are "not to be trusted".
The former Queen of Naboo Padme Amidala, turned Senator, plans to oppose the bill. She has also fallen under the threat of assassination, leaving Obi-Wan Kenobi and his young apprentice Anakin Skywalker to guard her. Anakin, smitten by the Senator, is cautioned by Obi-Wan from proceeding, as politicians are "not to be trusted".
Anakin stubbornly defends Padme, claiming that she's "not like the others in the Senate". His arguments echo those who decry the corruption in politics in general, but insist that their chosen partisan is "one of the good ones".
The wiser, and perhaps more cynical, Obi-Wan responds with a quip that could easily be taken straight out of a public choice lecture.
The wiser, and perhaps more cynical, Obi-Wan responds with a quip that could easily be taken straight out of a public choice lecture.
"It's been my experience that Senators are only focused on pleasing those who fund their campaigns...and they are more than willing to forget the niceties of democracy to get those funds".
Throughout the prequel trilogy, characters often pay lip service to "democracy", ostensibly enshrined in the Galactic Senate. However, Obi-Wan recognizes the incentives the Senators face. In order to get elected to the galactic government, a prospective Senator needs money. In order to stay in office, they need to please their backers, otherwise the money will flow to a more pliable puppet. So, in practice, the Galactic Senate is a hotbed of corruption, special interest maneuvering, and political waste.
In response, an exasperated Anakin whines "Not another lecture, Master...not on the economics of politics." The dialogue then transitions to the dominant political figure of the day, a man much admired by Anakin, Chancellor Palpatine. Anakin remarks that the Chancellor "doesn't appear to be corrupt". This further demonstrates the ability of politicians with sufficient emotional appeal and charisma to remain part of a broken system and yet seem "better" than the system itself. This is also why the system remains in place, because most voters associate one party (or at least a few chosen politicians) with a perceived purity. He goes on to note the Chancellor is "a good man" according to his own "instincts".
In response, an exasperated Anakin whines "Not another lecture, Master...not on the economics of politics." The dialogue then transitions to the dominant political figure of the day, a man much admired by Anakin, Chancellor Palpatine. Anakin remarks that the Chancellor "doesn't appear to be corrupt". This further demonstrates the ability of politicians with sufficient emotional appeal and charisma to remain part of a broken system and yet seem "better" than the system itself. This is also why the system remains in place, because most voters associate one party (or at least a few chosen politicians) with a perceived purity. He goes on to note the Chancellor is "a good man" according to his own "instincts".
Obi-Wan, ever the cynical observer, fires back.
"Palpatine's a politician. I've observed that he is very clever at following the passions and prejudices of the Senators..."
"Palpatine's a politician. I've observed that he is very clever at following the passions and prejudices of the Senators..."
Here is one of the few direct references to Palpatine's political genius. First, he manipulates some given situation (be it the Naboo Crisis or the entire Separatist Conflict) in order that he may incite some specific passion in the Senators. Then, he can ride the wave of popular sentiment to get what he wants, in this case, power. Through this, he has managed to maintain the Chancellorship past the term limits, having been granted an extended administration to guide the Republic through the Separatist Crisis. That he engineered.
[It should be noted that all of this dialogue takes place during an attempted assassination of Padme, and is not at all the focus of the scene.]
Finally, towards the end of the movie, Palpatine is granted further emergency powers, using the same tricks he used ten years earlier to get elected Chancellor. He feigns reluctance as he accepts the office. "It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy. I love the Republic. Once this crisis has abated, I will lay down the powers you have given me!"
[It should be noted that all of this dialogue takes place during an attempted assassination of Padme, and is not at all the focus of the scene.]
Finally, towards the end of the movie, Palpatine is granted further emergency powers, using the same tricks he used ten years earlier to get elected Chancellor. He feigns reluctance as he accepts the office. "It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love democracy. I love the Republic. Once this crisis has abated, I will lay down the powers you have given me!"
Like all who are granted great powers in the face of crisis, Palpatine promises to lay them down as soon as the crisis ends. Immediately after this, Palpatine authorizes the creation of the Grand Army of the Republic. Turns out, he didn't need the Senate after all. Not anymore, at least.
Attack of the Clones is arguably the weakest film of the prequel trilogy, at least, in terms of what the moviegoers tend to focus on. The battle scenes are weak, the romantic sub-plot between Anakin and Padme is laughably bad, and most characters continue to act irrationally for the sake of advancing the plot. That said, the underlying story thread of political manipulation, including a lecture from Obi-Wan Kenobi on "the economics of politics" is perhaps richer here than in any other film in the trilogy.
(Analysis continued for Revenge of the Sith HERE.)
Attack of the Clones is arguably the weakest film of the prequel trilogy, at least, in terms of what the moviegoers tend to focus on. The battle scenes are weak, the romantic sub-plot between Anakin and Padme is laughably bad, and most characters continue to act irrationally for the sake of advancing the plot. That said, the underlying story thread of political manipulation, including a lecture from Obi-Wan Kenobi on "the economics of politics" is perhaps richer here than in any other film in the trilogy.
(Analysis continued for Revenge of the Sith HERE.)
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