There are many things Jedi cannot do, one of which involves becoming a senator.
However, Jedi, through the Council of Reconciliation, can work as diplomats or ambassadors, closely aligning themselves with senators and the Republic’s political affairs.
A Star Wars senator represents their home world in the Galactic Republic, receiving appointments through planetary leaders.
Jedi do not have a seat in the Senate, but can become advisors for senators and represent the Chancellor on the Jedi High Council.
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What Is a Star Wars Senator?
A senator, or a galactic senator, represented their home planet in the Galactic Republic. Their planetary leaders appointed them to represent the planet in political affairs following their establishment around 1032 BBY, the time of or at the conclusion of the Jedi-Sith War.
Some Senators wished to improve the Republic, while others sought to reap the benefits of their power.
However, in Revenge of the Sith, it implied how easily Senators could become corrupt, even without realizing it. When Chancellor Palpatine issued his Proclamation of the New Order, the entire Senate, minus Padamé Amidala and Bail Organa, cheered.
The proclamation demonized the Jedi, declaring them “enemies of the state” after Palpatine accused the guardians of peace and justice of attempting to overthrow the government.
To combat this “betrayal,” Palpatine founded the Galactic Empire and transformed the Galactic Senate into the Imperial Senate. The senators’ power waned throughout the Empire, given the presence of planetary governors and moffs.
The Senate dissolved in 0 BBY, with the senators having ceded the entirety of their power after their initial approval of Palpatine’s proclamation. The senators would return following the Republic’s restoration following Return of the Jedi.
Do the Jedi Have a Seat in the Senate?
Jedi do not have a seat in the Senate because they are neither allowed to hold titles next to those within the Jedi hierarchy, nor are they allowed to be political.
However, the Jedi have their own council, dubbed the “Four Councils.” These councils comprise:
- Jedi High Council, commonly known as the Jedi Council
- Council of First Knowledge
- Council of Reconciliation – This council allows Jedi to interact with senators.
- Council of Reassignment
The strongest Jedi Masters in the Republic comprise the High Council, featuring five members appointed for life, four for a long-term, and three for a limited term.
The other three councils played roles that branch out to different sectors of the Galactic Republic, such as the Council of First Knowledge maintaining Jedi Temple Archives, while the Council of Reconciliation mediated political disputes.
Finally, the Council of Reassignment dealt with Jedi Initiates who failed to advance to Padawan and ultra-talented Jedi Knights.
Can Jedi Be Senators?
Jedi could not be senators. However, Jedi Diplomats and Jedi Ambassadors (Council of Reconciliation) worked closely with the Galactic Senate and served as public faces and voices for the Republic.
Depending on experience, Jedi Diplomats also made legal decisions.
Despite working closely with the senators, with Diplomats forming peace treaties for the Republic and Ambassadors going as far as to serve as advisors to some senators, any Jedi aligning themselves with the Senate still had to adhere to the Jedi Code.
Therefore, they could not take advantage of their position for self-gain. Nor could they help senators achieve it.
Both Diplomats and Ambassadors also worked with the Republic Diplomatic Corps. They often led the way to newly discovered planets or planets whose people lobbied for membership into the Galactic Republic to ensure the planet and its people were not threats.
How Were Senators Chosen in Star Wars?
Based on the Ancient Roman Senate, senators were not elected in Star Wars, but had planetary leaders appoint them.
Padamé is a good example. In Attack of the Clones, the new Queen of Naboo appointed her to serve on the Senate.
However, this does not mean people or beings of the planet did not have a say into whether a nominee became appointed as a senator.
Since the Galactic Republic comprised different types of cultures, odds are that some planets held elections. It’s just that the leader, whether a king, queen, president, or another authoritative title, held the final say.
The senators would elect one of their own into the position of Supreme Chancellor. Once elected, the Chancellor’s allegiance would shift from the world they represented to the betterment of the Republic.
FAQs:
Can You Be a Jedi Master and Not on the Council?
Only twelve Jedi Masters serve on the Council. Therefore, they could be a Jedi Master without serving time on the Council.
Jedi Grand Masters were responsible for promoting a Jedi Knight to the rank of Master when the former saw them as a good fit for the rank. After becoming a Jedi Master, they pursued and deepened their connection to the Force on their own terms.
They could also pursue their own studies on anything related to the Jedi, much like a college professor who receives a Ph.D., if you’re looking for a real world correlation.
You can further augment the analogy between college professors in Jedi Masters; they also oversaw groups of younglings both during the early stages of their education, and they gave younglings more direct training as the younglings advanced in their own studies.
Sion Fawkes has been covering Star Wars since January 2022, expanding his expertise in both Star Wars Canon and Legends. When not writing, you can find Sion in the gym or running trails. He also likes watching sports and listening to audiobooks.