[Helena]

This has been bugging me ever since TPM: is Tatooine actually part of the Republic or not? Yes, yes, I know Shmi says that 'the Republic doesn't exist out here', but it's not clear whether she means it literally (i.e. Tatooine is not part of the Republic) or whether she just means the Republic has no way of enforcing its authority there. Thing is, if Tatooine is not a Republic planet, why on earth is Qui-Gon surprised that the Republic's anti-slavery laws don't apply there? (Anyone else think the guy is a little naive for someone who's supposed to be a seasoned diplomat?)

[Darth Player]

From the SW Databank:

The Old Republic and the Empire that supplanted it paid very little attention to the remote planet Tatooine. Ironically, beings that called this dusty world home would be influential in bringing down both galactic governments.
Tatooine rests in the distant Outer Rim, beyond the reaches of Republic and Imperial law. Even the Trade Federation lacked a presence on the desert planet. Poor, with very little industry to boast, Tatooine is a mixture of hard-working locals attempting to extract a living from the unforgiving environment and transients visiting the world for illegal ventures. Tatooine is controlled by the Hutts, and their shady operations bring many spacers, bounty hunters, thieves and other malcontents to the planet's few port cities.

[georgelucas4greedo]

From the SW Databank:
Tatooine is a mixture of hard-working locals attempting to extract a living from the unforgiving environment and transients visiting the world for illegal ventures.

Here's what I don't get: these locals are as white as snowflakes but they live on a dessert planet!

Also, from the OT, I always assumed Tattoine was "a skidmark on the underwear of society" as White Goodman would say. It was surprise, surprise the wild, wild west in which the Empire or the Rebellion could conduct business, but over which neither group could exercise control.

This post has been edited by georgelucas4greedo: 17 July 2006 - 02:02 PM

[Darth Player]

Also, from the OT, I always assumed Tattoine was "a skidmark on the underwear of society" as White Goodman would say. It was surprise, surprise the wild, wild west in which the Empire or the Rebellion could conduct business, but over which neither group could exercise control.

I think the circumstances would make exerting control cost a lot and bring very little back to either side to counterbalance expenditures. I also don't accept that Anakin/Vader would have grown up there and not have had a scheme on the side to liberate the slaves like him and his mom, even if only to serve the Emperor, especially when Tarkin died and he became #2.

[CowboyCurtis]

^^^ Right, which says to me the slave thing was an unnecessary element that only served to complicate things.

Helena: As for the Republic controlling Tatooine after TPM---do you mean as in, it's being controlled in Episode II and beyond? I'd imagine by Episode IV that it is since there is mention of the "academy"---which could only be Imperial sanctioned, right?

[Helena]

My question is: during TPM, is Tatooine officially part of the Republic? Going by the evidence in the movie and the official sources, the answer would appear to be 'no'. But in that case, why is Qui-Gon surprised that the planet is not subject to Republic law?

[CowboyCurtis]

Okay. Then I'd say 'no' too. And you're right, Qui-Gon is being incredibly naive. Padme, too. It's like walking into the Netherlands and saying, "But drugs are illegal in America..." Well, dipshit, you're in a place where' they're not!

[azerty]

I sort of assumed that Tatooine was nominally part of the republic, but since it was out in the middle of nowhere, nobody really cared, and so the local government was corrupt and ineffective. I'm pretty sure that there were places under the protection of the British Empire during its golden age which were pretty dodgy. It could be the same sort of thing as that.

As for slavery in a civilised galaxy, think about your US history and civil rights in the US South. Even in the 1960's you could be only four hours drive from the capital city and could be murdered and dumped in a lake for handing out voting leaflets. How about the history of Barclays Bank and its connections with the slave trade? You don't have to stray too far from the main road to encounter some pretty unbelievable things.

This kind of explanation also explains why "Republic Credits are no good here..." It's like trying to use your Gold Visa Card in some third world dump, and arguing with the shop owner why it's just as good as cash. Only cash is cash, and if the transaction is even slightly dodgy, who would want an electronic record of it?

Anyway, Star Wars isn't the future, its more like the 1940's in space ships.

[barend]

This has been bugging me ever since TPM: is Tatooine actually part of the Republic or not? Yes, yes, I know Shmi says that 'the Republic doesn't exist out here', but it's not clear whether she means it literally (i.e. Tatooine is not part of the Republic) or whether she just means the Republic has no way of enforcing its authority there. Thing is, if Tatooine is not a Republic planet, why on earth is Qui-Gon surprised that the Republic's anti-slavery laws don't apply there? (Anyone else think the guy is a little naive for someone who's supposed to be a seasoned diplomat?)

it's consistant at least with cluelessness of every other jedi on the order.

the fact that they don't take republic credits, sugests they're not.

also, tatooine is like frontieer land. it's not adequatley established enough in any real concentration to be a part of any galactic ruling faction. it operates like an independant, everone out there is either part of a syndicate, stopping to refuel as its a port, exchanging in otherwise illegal trade, water farming (although kamino seems like a more obvious choice), paying off debts, buying stolen droids and other salvageable goods, or hanging out with jaba.

it's like a dock in international waters.

tatooine's like a capitolist Cuba.

[MyPantsAreOnFire]

I'd easier believe that Tatooine was some kind of out of the way, backwater planet if it DIDN'T SHOW UP IN ALMOST EVERY GODDAMN SW MOVIE AND BE CRUCIAL TO EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS.

Stupid Lucas.

[miladyblue]

From what is said, you would think it was Bumfuck, Wherever, rather than what seems to be the center of the galaxy. Perhaps Coruscant was just a pretty front, and Tattooine actually was the capital?