Galactic Republic

Definition

The Galactic Republic is the democratic federation that governs the galaxy before the Empire and (as the New Republic) after it.

Structure

• Galactic Senate on Coruscant — one delegate per member system
• Supreme Chancellor — executive head
• Jedi Order — military and diplomatic support
• Judiciary — inter-system court

Decline

Over a thousand years of peace turn the Republic bureaucratic and corrupt. Sidious exploits the rot, escalates the Clone Wars, and turns the Republic into the Empire by Senate vote.

New Republic

After Endor the New Republic is founded (4 ABY). It repeats some of the old mistakes — and underestimates the First Order.

Why it matters

The Republic is the political main stage of the saga. Understand its architecture and you understand how a democracy can slide into tyranny.