What Is The State Of The New Republic?
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While we’re fully in the midst of the pre-prequel era after a few episodes of The Acolyte, we’re still very much embedded in the time of the New Republic and what it has to offer. We haven’t seen much lately of what this new adolescent governance has to offer. It’s been a while since we’ve taken a look at what’s happening in and around the New Republic. It dates back to the first week of October 2023 with the season one finale of Ahsoka along with a small glance during episode three of Tales of the Empire on May 4th.
By the time we get back around to exploring more of the New Republic era, more than a year of our time will have passed before another adventure occurs during this post-Empire period. After three seasons of The Mandalorian, one season each of The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka, plus a singular episode of Tales of the Empire, there’s plenty to dive into on the New Republic and how everything stands. During the events of Ahsoka, we arguably learn more about the New Republic and its inner workings than any other series.
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Former senator and Rebellion leader Mon Mothma is now chancellor. Given how she conducts herself, she is clearly attempting to differentiate herself and her ruling style from that of Chancellor, and eventual Emperor, Palpatine.
Palpatine would play both sides of issues as Chancellor to manipulate players involved to get what he wanted, ultimately gaining more and more power. Then, during his reign as Emporer, he resorted to fear and tyranny. Mothma, however, makes a concerted effort to keep things aligned with democratic principles.
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Mothma receives reports amongst a small committee of senators, who receive equal votes, and she also sits on tribunals in which she hears all parties out equally.Regarding senators, they’re now back in a governing role after the Senate was dissolved during imperial rule. Senators show that despite being in a prominent position again to legislate peace, they’re one of the New Republic’s biggest vulnerabilities.
So quickly do senators dismiss any notion of an imperial return or brush off events involving former imperials as “outliers” or isolated events despite the increasing frequency of occasions. New Republic senators, just a few years removed from the Empire, believe if there aren’t any ulterior motives, that everything is serene once again. The Empire is gone and everything is back to the way things should be.
Senators want so desperately for the dark times to be behind them that they’ve blinded themselves to the truth that imperials are actively working to undermine and restore the empire.
This is reinforced by the fact that former imperials after giving an “oath of loyalty” have been placed in various levels of the New Republic government and access to information.
Many factors make the governmental side of the New Republic fragile. Senators consider the issue settled due to the oath and are naive to the fact that imperial warlords, such as Captain Pellaeon, are working alone and not organized. Additionally, Chancellor Mothma seemingly is one of the few taking the threat of Thrawn’s return seriously.
Mothma’s stance on that potential return, coupled with that of the New Republic Senate leaders, makes for a volatile mix.
Similar to ducks on a pond, everything may seem calm on the surface with the New Republic, but underneath there’s plenty of chaos. Like duck feet going a mile a minute just beneath the surface, there are so many working aggressively and are determined to undermine its efforts.
Another thing we’ve learned, most recently, which likely not many have taken into consideration is that perhaps not everyone is entirely aware of a regime change. We see this in the early days of the New Republic during Tales of the Empire as Magistrate Morgan Elsbeth continues to have the people of Calodan, the capital city of Corvus, under her thumb.
Years after the Empire fell, the citizens living there had no idea that not only was the Empire no more, but that there was a new galactic republic with a revitalized Senate. This could very well be the case in other systems and on other planets around the galaxy still being run by those loyal to the Empire.
Elsewhere around the galaxy, the New Republic seemingly struggles for respect, legitimacy, and relevancy. Planets like Nevarro operate as if they’re on their own. With little to no presence of the New Republic, various guilds as well as pirate gangs and other criminal organizations like the Pyke Syndicate or Nikto biker gangs can thrive.
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As we saw in the second season of The Mandalorian, an imperial base/lab had to be dealt with. That probably could’ve or rather should’ve been handled, but the New Republic is stretched pretty thin as it continues to rebuild its military and law enforcement. That task was left to Nevarro’s Magistrate — not yet High Magistrate — and Marshal to dispose of with the help of a former bounty hunter.
It seems the New Republic is setting itself up for a fall, with its head in the sand about Imperials and being able to overtake the new democracy. They’re also not looking all that prepared for the re-emergence of Thrawn and his new alliance with the Nightsisters of Peridea, plus whatever the plan may be with Dathomir.
However, there are those, especially those with combat experience, trying their darndest to prepare the New Republic for whatever threat may be under the surface before it emerges on the horizon.
Image Source: Disney+
With Captain Carson Teva teaming up with Din Djarin and Din Grogu to hunt down imperial remnants around the Outer Rim, plus Ezra Bridger and fellow Rebellion-era hero General Hera Syndulla, as well as all of the Mandalorians after retaking their home planet, there are plenty willing to fight against a small, yet focused, group of imperials to keep the Empire from rising again.
Time will surely tell.
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