It seems like this debate is everywhere. Liberal vs. Conservative. Most of the time it does more damage to the credibility of both sides instead of helping their cause. I've only seen small bouts of those kinds of discussion surrounding Star Wars, but nonetheless, it's something important to address before it grows and divides fans.

Although, I am liberal, this will be an objective piece. I really see no point in skewing what I write to suit some kind of "agenda"

Let's start:

First off, Star Wars has near to zero political messages in its story. So let's not think that the story is overabundant in left/right leaning political messages. The hero is based on a myth archetype and the villain is based on the devil. The story has more connections with historic events then with any political messages. There, now that's out of the way.

But there are hints of a political message or something along the lines of a comment within the movies, more specifically Revenge of the Sith, or at least the ball is set in motion with that movie and everything is set in context.

With Revenge of the Sith, Palpatines grand plan enters its final phase and works, giving him the power. A comment on President Bush or conservatism? Not really. First and foremost it's based in history but Darth Sidious is, in fact, quite the liberal. Consider the fact that upon realising the Sith plot too late, Obi-Wan and Yoda must come to terms that the Jedi Order was too conservative and blind to the threat. The Sith adapted their plans to the situation and weren't held back a loads of codes or rules. They had different approach to the Force, a less "dogmatic view" of it as Palpatine states and that too gives them an edge over the Jedis narrow view of how to use the Force. In the end, the survivors of Order 66 realise that a more liberal view to the Force is needed.

That being said, the Jedi were far from incompetent. This was an institution that had existed for thousands of years and escaped many near threats. Its methods were tried and tested and had for the most part succeeded. Of course they would want to keep everything the same way. The irony is that in its only liberal action, the Order secured their downfall. I am of course talking about accepting Anakin Skywalker into the Order.

In the Hyperspace forum thread Only Sith deals in absolutes Lieutenant Wiggum Jansen posted:

But Kenobi was The Negotiator, the idealist...it seems to be a theme developed from The Phantom Menace onward that liberal idealism comes to a point where it must face up to it's fuzziness and lack of clarity.

I disagree. Obi-Wan was far from an idealist. He was The Negotiator because he, as all the other Jedi, wanted a peaceful end to the conflict and to preserve the Republic, a conservative cause. I also disagree with his what he says about liberalism, since it's already shown in the guise of the Sith that it does have a clarity.

But Lieutenant Wiggum Jansen also posted this:

We then see the Rebellion thought there were absolutes and that they were worth fighting and dying for!

This, I do agree with. Suddenly the tables have turned. Now the Rebels are a force of liberalism whilst fighting the Empire, that has some resemblance to conservatism. But there is a kind of duality in this. Palpatine became Emperor through a very liberal use of the Force, but he guarantees his power through a conservative promise "I will preserve the Republic, but it shall be known as the Empire", something that is very confusing but good. I'll come back to that later.

The Empire seems also based on some kind of classic conservatism. Judging by the movies, it seems to be a society highly centred around the Emperor and the Imperial military. The Rebels themselves are fighting for freedom and have a broader mind and acceptance to other species than the Empire has, making them a liberal force. However, here comes the duality again. The Rebel Alliance wants to go back to the "good old days" and in their struggle is preserving the old thinking. This points to the fact that the New Republic is going to be a blend of conservatism and liberalism.

And that is what's interesting with this political message in Star Wars; it's unclear and the two "sides" are constantly being mixed up. It kind of makes the sextet of movies immune to any sort of speculation regarding a political message or comments.

I interpret this as that we need a little bit of everything too work. Too much conservatism caused the fall of the Jedi Order and the liberal promises of the Sith turned out to be disastrous. All change isn't good yet we can't just stop in our tracks since there are always forces changing everything around us. Finding common ground and working around our differences, instead of staying away from each other because of them, is the best recipe for success.