To celebrate May 4th, Sidd, Lily and Tom travel to a galaxy far, far away to explore the politics of Star Wars. The franchise’s creator, George Lucas, didn’t just draw on the mythology of Joseph Campbell or the cinematic style of Akira Kurosawa. He also held up a mirror to the politics, economics, and society of 1970s America.

The Political Dispatch team discuss the influence of the Vietnam War and Watergate on Lucas’s early writing, how the prequel trilogy reflects the anxieties of the War on Terror, and how a once-great democracy can backslide into tyranny.

If you’re celebrating Star Wars Day on May the 4th, here are some of Tom’s recommended viewings:

• Andor and Rogue One, which explore the rise of the Rebellion in the years leading up to A New Hope
• The Mandalorian, the hit TV series starring Pedro Pascal as a bounty hunter who discovers a mysterious alien child. The series is set five years after Return of the Jedi
• Star Wars Visions, Season 2, Episode 9: Aau’s Song, a touching animated tale about a child whose voice holds dangerous power

And finally, Tom’s top three Star Wars films:

1. The Empire Strikes Back
2. A New Hope
3. Rogue One

Please leave a rating, share a comment, and subscribe!

To get connected with Sidd, Tom, or Lily, please find them on Instagram: @sparetom, @lilymott3, and @siddkurapati.

For more information about the show, please find Be the change. Media Network on Instagram: @bethechangemedianetwork.