Bite Sized: Star Wars Episode 2: The Empire Strikes Again

In part 2 of our Star Wars trilogy, we dive deep into the dark heart of Star Wars, using The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Chris Kempshall as our guide. Drawing sharp parallels between the fictional Empire and real-world history, we explore how Star Wars mirrors the rise of authoritarian regimes, propaganda, militarism, and the slow erosion of democracy. We break down the inner workings of the Galactic Empire—from its bureaucracy and chain of command to its use of fear and control—and examine how its creation wasn’t just evil, but eerily familiar.

What does the fall of the Republic teach us about our own world? And how can sci-fi help us better understand the systems we live in? Join us for a thoughtful, galactic deep dive into power, history, and the myth that continues to speak volumes.

You can find Dr. Chris Kempshall's book Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire here.

Music in episode by Luis Humanoide & Cody Martin with permission and/or copyright usage allowed.