Anakin Skywalker and the Fascist Paradox: His Journey into Empowerment and Oppression

The characterization of Anakin Skywalker as a fascist can be analyzed through several lenses, particularly in the context of his transformation into Darth Vader in the Star Wars saga. This article explores Anakin's journey and how it reflects both ideals of fascism and his own personal complexities.

Authoritarian Control

Fascism typically involves a strong centralized authority and the suppression of dissent. Anakin, particularly as Darth Vader, embodies these characteristics through his loyalty to Emperor Palpatine and his role in enforcing the Empire's will. This includes the persecution of the Jedi and other dissenters, showcasing the authoritarian nature of his actions.

Ideological Shift

Anakin's journey from a Jedi Knight to the Sith Lord Darth Vader can be seen as a shift from ideals of democracy and justice to a belief in power and control. His desire for order and stability, especially following personal trauma, aligns with certain fascist tendencies that prioritize the state or leader over individual rights. However, his motivations are deeply personal—rooted in fear, loss, and a desire to protect those he loves, which complicates a straightforward labeling as a fascist.

Manipulation and Propaganda

Anakin's fall is heavily influenced by Palpatine's manipulation, reminiscent of how fascist regimes often use propaganda and manipulation to control the populace and eliminate opposition. Anakin's fear of loss and desire for power lead him to embrace a totalitarian ideology. While his beliefs are naive and nebulous, they contribute to his alignment with the Empire's oppressive tactics.

Violence and Intimidation

The methods employed by Anakin/Darth Vader to achieve his goals—violence, intimidation, and coercion—are consistent with fascist tactics used to maintain control and suppress opposition. His use of these methods is a testament to his assimilation into the fascist ideology, even if his ultimate loyalty is personal rather than ideological.

A Totalitarian but Not a Fascist

With a life in slavery and his father figure being a fascist, Anakin comes around to thinking a dictatorship would be a good idea. He's ridiculously naive about politics, believing that a benevolent dictatorship is the best solution to the weakness of democracy. Using Eco's definition, Anakin subscribes to two of the main ideas. In Gentile's definition, it's harder since he wants forced agreement but doesn't have any idea how to enforce it. Anakin wants a Republic where the dictator can force uniformity in the vote, applicable to most dictatorships and totalitarian states, including the USSR and the Third Reich.

Politically Vader and Sidious

Politically, Vader and Sidious are based on conservative partnerships between center-right and far-right ideologies. Examples include Nixon-Agnew in the original trilogy and Cheney-Bush in the prequels. Anakin's ideals aren't well-formulated enough for fascism but lean towards it. However, I would not say he is a fascist—his naive and nebulous beliefs do not align strongly with fascist tenets. He is willing to support and defend democracy but ultimately puts his own emotional needs first, betraying the Republic to keep his wife alive. A republican democracy is tolerable but expendable to his personal needs, and the dictator himself is expendable as he becomes a father first, politically interested only as a means to an end.

Fascist Paradox

While Palpatine is a fascist, Anakin is more like the generals and politicians that cooperate due to personal needs rather than any strong dedication to the cause. His relationship with Palpatine is a child needing approval and praise rather than any political agreement. In the original trilogy, the villains are cogs in the fascist machine, with the exception of Palpatine and Tarkin, who are expendable goons. In the prequels, the villains are industrial capitalists being manipulated by a fascist strongman. In the sequels and Mandalorian, the villains represent a neofascist revival moment. So we have Palpatine and Anakin falling in with various personalities that go along for personal gain and then dedicated fans. This dynamic restores Anakin's complexity; he is not an enthusiastic follower but it doesn't bother him if it helps him.